LPAC: Lesbian Super PAC launches with star power of Jane Lynch

GlobalPost

“Glee” star Jane Lynch and former tennis great Billie Jean King are throwing their support behind LPAC, a lesbian political action committee that launched today.

Designed to support pro-lesbian political candidates – regardless of gender, sexual orientation or political affiliation – and issues at the state and national level.

“This year we have seen politicians repeatedly support policies that harm women,” Lynch said on the LPAC website. “It is important to me to elect leaders who care about issues that impact women and their families. That’s why I support LPAC.”

A fellow Chicago executive approached Laura Ricketts with the idea of forming a Super Pac to promote issues such as LGBT rights, women’s health and wider social concerns.

Ricketts, who co-owns the Chicago Cubs baseball team, jumped at the chance, and now finds herself in a unique position.

She’s a fundraising bundler for President Barack Obama, but her father – Nebraska billionaire Joe Ricketts – donates large sums to the Republican Party.

“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,” Ricketts told The Associated Press.

More from GlobalPost: Gov. Patrick leads Obama supporters at Boston pride parade

Chairwoman and treasurer Sarah Schmidt said LPAC differs from similar PAC’s such as EMILY’s List, Human Rights Campaign and the Victory Fund because of the focus on women and lesbians.

“There are other organizations that are very engaged in political work that is aligned very closely with issues of equality, reproductive freedom and some of the issues we care about,” Schmidt told Politico. “This is a little different because it’s a group of lesbians coming together to build a network to sort of speak to our issues.”

LPAC hopes to raise about $1 million for this year’s election and is now formulating a list of candidates to endorse.

More from GlobalPost: Asteroid named after Frank Kameny, astronomer and gay rights activist

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.