In just this year we’ve seen more than 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in states across the country. We know that politicians are targeting LGBTQ+ people, in particular our youth. Congress must fight back and champion federal protections for all the members of the LGBTQ+ communities.
Health Equity: Healthcare is a human right. I will always advocate that we holistically break away from our broken privatized healthcare system. People should always be able to access informed care, including sensitive language, research, and data that enables individuals to receive comprehensive primary care. Additionally, people should never be denied access to life saving medical and gender affirming care.
Youth WellBeing: Many of the discriminatory state legislation being proposed by Republicans specifically target transgender children. Dozens of bills are seeking to ban trans kids from playing sports or receiving life-saving health care. These efforts are morally bankrupt and extremely dangerous. It’s imperative that Congress and the federal government enshrine protections for LGBTQIA+ youth under threat for simply existing as themselves.
Workplace Equity: Our campaign supports the Employment Non Discrimination Act, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to those currently protected by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In most states, employers are still allowed to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Federal protections should make this practice illegal.
Equality Act: The Equality Act is a comprehensive civil rights legislation that would provide nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people all across our nation. This includes non-discrimination protections for key areas of life, such as employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service. Civil rights laws like the Equality Act are effective in decreasing discrimination because they provide strong federal remedies targeted to vulnerable communities. We will advocate for sexual orientation and gender identity to be included in these fundamental laws.
Family: We are committed to protecting and empowering families through championing legislation targeted at domestic partnerships, same sex marriages and advocating for our vulnerable trans youth who we see being maliciously targeted by many state governments. One piece of current legislation we support is the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act. This bill would provide couples in domestic partnerships, civil unions and same-sex marriages with all the benefits offered currently by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).