Barbara Lee Releases LGBT Pride Month Statement
NEWS ADVISORY:
June 2, 2014
Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370
Washington, DC– Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in recognition of LGBT Pride Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of June:
“Every June, LGBT Pride Month provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and courage of LGBT individuals in the march towards full equality, while acknowledging the continued struggles against discrimination still faced by far too many.
“This Pride month, we can reflect on the major strides that have been taken to date towards making this a more inclusive nation that embraces every individual and provides equal protections under the law. Same-sex marriage is now recognized in 19 states and the District of Columbia, and we have seen tremendous momentum in the courts, with decisions in 12 states declaring that bans on same-sex marriage violate the Constitution. Additionally, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is providing new and expanded health benefits to millions of Americans, and improving the health of LGBT individuals in several some major ways.
“These are truly momentous gains, and Pride month is an opportunity to celebrate them. Yet, as we know, there is still much work to be done. Congress must pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to ensure that LGBT individuals cannot be fired for being who they are. And we must remain vigilant as countries around the world pass discriminatory and dangerous laws that put human rights and the lives of LGBT people at risk. And we must acknowledge the continuing disparities in health and other issues faced by LGBT people, including HIV/AIDS, and the safety and well-being of transgender individuals.
“I am proud to join with my constituents, my colleagues on the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, and all Americans in celebrating Pride Month. The fight for equality and justice is the right fight and it is one that we will win.”
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Follow Barbara Lee on Facebook and Twitter at @RepBarbaraLee. To learn more, visit lee.house.gov.
Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, as well as the Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), where she serves as the Co-Chair of the CPC Peace and Security Task Force.