COLUMBUS, OHIO – Today the Sherrod Brown campaign launched “LGBT Ohioans for Sherrod,” a group of LGBT individuals, families and allies supporting U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown’s reelection because of his strong record on LGBT issues and his commitment to equality, regardless of sexual orientation. The group will mobilize support for Sherrod, advise the campaign on issues and communicate within the LGBT community about Sherrod’s record of fighting to end discrimination and extend equal rights to LGBT individuals and families.

Tim Downing, a partner at the law firm Ulmer & Berne LLP, Karen Aronoff-Holtmeier, an employee for Sprint Nextel, and Lisa Zellner, the Communications Director for the Ohio Federation of Teachers, will serve as co-chairs for LGBT Ohioans for Sherrod.

“Throughout his career in elected office, Sherrod Brown has led the fight to end discrimination against LGBT individuals and families and to expand rights and opportunities for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation – that’s why we are supporting his reelection,” said Downing, Aronoff-Holtmier and Zellner. “Sherrod was one of the few Senators to vote against the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, he fought to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, he has co-sponsored legislation to expand domestic partnership benefits and he’s a vocal advocate for marriage equality. When it comes to matters of equality, Sherrod always does what’s right, not what’s politically convenient. As LGBT Ohioans, we are proud to support Sherrod’s reelection and his lifelong commitment to equality.”

“LGBT rights are human rights and civil rights, and I’m committed to ensuring that America lives up to its promise to treat all of its citizens with dignity, love and respect,” Sherrod said. “I am deeply honored to have the support of these leaders and other members of the LGBT community throughout Ohio. As long as I have the privilege to represent Ohio in the U.S. Senate, I won’t stop fighting until all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation, can marry freely and be afforded equal rights, respect and treatment under the law.”

Senator Sherrod Brown is a stalwart advocate for the LGBT community and he is fighting every day to ensure that all Americans are afforded equal rights and opportunities. He first voted to allow gays and lesbians to serve in the U.S. military in 1993 and fought to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in 2010. Senator Brown voted against the Defense of Marriage Act and a constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage, co-sponsored legislation that would provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees and he was the first Senator to deliver an “It Gets Better” speech from the Senate Floor. Throughout his career Senator Brown has been supported by the Human Rights Campaign. The Ohio LGBT community knows it can count on Senator Sherrod Brown.

The launch of “LGBT for Sherrod” will be accompanied by a new Facebook page and a section of the web site to keep LGBT community members up-to-date on campaign issues and news. LGBT Ohioans can join the Facebook page by clicking HERE.

For more about Sherrod’s strong record on LGBT issues and his commitment to equality, please click HERE.