Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights

Every person – no matter who they love, or how they identify – is entitled to equal protection under the law. This has been repeatedly threatened in Congress, in the Supreme Court, and in our communities. We have seen attacks on the most basic rights of LGBTQ+ Americans. The right for LGBTQ+ couples to marry has been explicitly threatened by the Supreme Court and voted against by Republicans in the House of Representatives. Those who identify as transgender are being targeted and murdered at rates so concerning the American Medical Association has declared it an epidemic.

I have fought to preserve the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans and remedy these injustices. I voted in favor of legislation to protect the rights of  LGBTQ+ Americans:

• YES on the Equality Act: to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community has equal access to protection in employment, housing, credit, jury duty, and federally funded programs under the law.

• YES on the Respect for Marriage Act: to enshrine the right to marriage for LGBTQ+ couples into law.

I championed legislation to abolish a Trump Administration office at the Department of Health and Human Services, designed to enable discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in health care. I have cosponsored legislation to prevent discrimination against LGBTQ+ couples by adoption agencies, legislation to protect LGBTQ+ children from harassment, and legislation to ensure federal agencies collect appropriate data on LGBTQ+ Americans to ensure we are serving them appropriately. I am a member of the Equality Caucus and work with my colleagues to ensure we are addressing the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community in legislation brought to the floor.

I will continue to fight to ensure that no one is discriminated against because of who they are or who they love. My work has been endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign and the Equality PAC.