Glee co-star Jane Lynch, former
tennis player Billie Jean King and Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura
Ricketts are among the women backing the creation of a
first-of-its-kind political action committee to support candidates
and causes that appeal to lesbian voters.
LPAC officially launches on Wednesday
and organizers hope to raise a modest $1 million for the 2012
election cycle.
The super PAC will champion candidates
from either major party who support equal rights for LGBT women and
their families and sexual and reproductive rights for women.
“This year we have seen politicians
repeatedly support policies that harm women,” Lynch said in a
statement. “It is important to me to elect leaders who care about
issues that impact women and their families. That's why I support
LPAC.”
“Being a woman and being gay is
really a unique position in our society,” Ricketts, one of
President Barack Obama's fundraising bundlers, told the AP. “I
know in my experience of activism, oftentimes it makes a difference
if something is women-focused. It's likely to get the attention of
women much more easily.”
LPAC is chaired by Sarah Schmidt. Gay
rights activists Urvashi Vaid and Alix Richie, former publisher of
the Provincetown Banner, are also on the committee.