A national group that pushes equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people has hired a former clergyman to lead its efforts in Mississippi.
Rob Hill grew up in Mississippi, and spent 12 years as a United Methodist pastor. He said Tuesday that he started work July 14 for Human Rights Campaign and its "Project One America."
HRC announced in April that it will spend $8.5 million for the project in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas, which currently have no laws to prohibit people from being fired from jobs or evicted from housing based on sexual orientation. Hill says he wants to seek such legal protections for Mississippi residents.
The 39-year-old Hill is gay. He worked nine years as pastor of Jackson's Broadmeadow United Methodist Church, leaving in June.
