Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero says the discrimination his gay brother faced before dying of AIDS is one reason he strongly stands up for gay rights.
The Lansing mayor on Monday was endorsed by Equality Michigan Action Network, the state's largest advocacy group for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Bernero supported a 2006 human right ordinance in Lansing that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and supported similar measures as a state lawmaker.
His 29-year-old brother, Victor, died of AIDS in 1990.
Bernero will face House Speaker Andy Dillon in the Aug. 3 Democratic gubernatorial primary election.