While throughout the country significant progress is being made on the front of marriage equality, in most states, it remains legal to fire an employee simply because that employee is gay. In a bold move, Brad Schneider took a strong stance on the issue by circulating a petition urging Congress to act by passing ENDA immediately. 

Schneider is facing Republican freshman and Tea Party ally Bob Dold in the 10th district of Illinois. The race is one of the most highly anticipated congressional showdowns in the country. While no Republican in the country sits in a more Democratic seat than Dold, the district has been represented by a Republican for 32 years.

Dold is strongly opposed to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and chooses to simply ignore the problem of discrimination in the private sector. He also opposed the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and supported the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. Overall, his record on LGBT issues can at best be described as poor.

Encouraged by his principled stance on ENDA and consistent support of LGBT equality, the Human Rights Campaign came out with a strong endorsement of Schneider. This was despite HRC's previous support of the Republican congressman from the 10th, Mark Kirk, in 2006 and 2008.

“Brad’s passion and commitment to LGBT equality, along with his dedication to Illinois families, make him the strongest candidate for Congress,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “It’s time that families in the new 10th District are represented by someone who shares their values of fairness and equality.”

Schneider's support for ENDA has been backed by an outpouring of support from the public, which overwhelmingly supports the measure. Nearly 1000 have signed his petition to Congress to pass ENDA, and it continues to grow. Meanwhile the petition is spreading virally over social meida: