San Diego LGBT leaders joined the Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization – in endorsing Rep. Scott Peters for re-election to Congress, citing Peters for being “steadfast in his support of marriage equality in California and across the country.”
Rep. Scott Peters. Official photo.
Rep. Scott Peters. Official photo.“Scott Peters has proved himself to be a leader and a strong advocate for equality,” said Fred Sainz, the HRC’s vice president for communications, in a statement. “As the nation moves rapidly to embrace full LGBT equality, Scott’s voice on Capitol Hill will echo those of his fair-minded constituents and Americans across the country.”
“I’ve been proud to work alongside HRC for years in the fight for full equal rights for everyone,” Peters said. “My father fought for racial equality during the civil rights movement when I was young, and I’m proud to continue that legacy at the forefront of the battle for full LGBT equality, the most important civil rights issue of our time.”
At the announcement on Wednesday, members of HRC San Diego were joined by City Council President Todd Gloria, former State Senator Christine Kehoe, and Stampp Corbin, former co-chair of the 2008 Obama for America presidential campaign’s National LGBT Leadership Council.
County Supervisor Dave Roberts also issued an endorsement statement, saying, “Congressman Scott Peters deserves the support of the LGBT community. He has been a stalwart supporter of equality.”
Peters, a Democrat, will face Republican Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Council member who is opening gay and who recently released a campaign ad in which he holds hands with his partner.
Peters is a former San Diego City Council president and Port Commission chairman. He represents the 52nd District, which includes Poway, Coronado, and a large part of the city of San Diego. He was elected to Congress in 2012.

Chris Jennewein is founder and senior editor of Times of San Diego.