Equality

I am proud to serve as Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, helping to lead more than 100 caucus members on civil rights and equality issues. I am a leading co-sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation that would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protections that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex. I am also a sponsor of the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, a bill to prevent discrimination at colleges and universities, and the Restore Honor to Service Members Act, a bill to restore the status and benefits of service members discharged due to their sexual orientation.

During the Trump Administration, I strongly opposed the numerous attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, from the transgender military ban, to discriminatory adoption practices. I will always support our nation's LGBTQ+ youth, who face relentless efforts to silence and alienate them, particularly on the state level through bills like Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law. Our kids should always feel safe to be who they are, and that includes while they're at school.