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.
More on Equality
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, today issued the following statement on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin's ruling that the state's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Charlie Rangel (NY-13), lead sponsors of the bipartisan “Restore Honor to Service Members Act,” today applauded the introduction of this bill in the U.S. Senate by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
MADISON, WI—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today applauded the U.S. Senate on its bipartisan passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and called on Speaker Boehner to bring the commonsense legislation up for a vote in the House. ENDA would extend federal employment discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Pocan is an original co-sponsor of the House version of ENDA, which is currently supported by 196 bipartisan members of Congress.
MADISON, WI—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, today released the following statement after the Senate moved to advance the bipartisan Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would extend federal employment discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Pocan is an original co-sponsor of the House version of ENDA, which is currently supported by more than 190 bipartisan members.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—While the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Windsor represented a landmark victory for equality and federal recognition of same sex marriages, discriminatory federal practices remain that leave employees in same-sex domestic partnerships without the rights and protections their heterosexual colleagues receive. In order to allow the federal government to compete for the best employees and ensure all of our nation’s civil servants have their loving relationships treated with respect and dignity, U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) announced today that Madison-based Disability Rights Wisconsin has been awarded a $400,000 grant to address domestic abuse and sexual assault of people with disabilities. The Department of Justice issued the grant through the Violence Against Women Act’s (VAWA) Disability Grant Program. The Wisconsin Project is the only project nationally to be awarded funds since the inception of the federal Disabilities Grant Program.
MADISON, WI—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, today applauded the decision by the U.S. Department of Treasury to recognize all legally married same-sex couples, regardless of whether or not they live in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage. The ruling means that married same-sex couples, including Pocan and his husband Phil, who were married in Canada in 2006, can now receive all federal marriage-based tax benefits, including employee benefits, child tax credits, and gift and estate taxes.
MADISON, WI—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today released the following statement on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which featured Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivering his historic “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-2) and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4) introduced legislation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) runaway and homeless youth.
WASHINGTON— U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Charlie Rangel (D-NY) today introduced legislation, along with 100 bipartisan cosponsors, to ensure that gay and lesbian veterans who were discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation receive the honor and recognition they deserve. The "Restore Honor to Service Members Act" would instill the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" into law and support the Department of Defense's efforts to correct the unfairly tarnished military records of our brave service members.