Tag: LGBT caucus

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Record Number Of House Members Join LGBT Equality Caucus

With The Equality Act set to be re-introduced in Congress on Wednesday, the House LGBT Equality Caucus boasts a record 155 members in the 116th Congress.

With The Equality Act set to be re-introduced in Congress on Wednesday, the House LGBT Equality Caucus boasts a record number of members in the 116th Congress.

There are currently 8 openly LGBT Co-Chairs, 18 Vice Chairs and a total of 155 Democratic members in the caucus.

No Republicans chose to be involved in the group.

“Fairness and equality are core American values. Unfortunately, as he has shown again and again, the President does not share these ideals. That’s why it’s more important than ever that Members of Congress stand up for the rights of the LGBT community,” said LGBT Equality Caucus Co-Chair Rep. David Cicilline (RI-01) in a press statement.

“As I prepare to re-introduce the Equality Act, I am delighted that so many of my House colleagues – the largest number on record, in fact – are committed to fighting for full LGBT equality as members of this important caucus,” he added.

The Equality Act would amend existing civil rights laws (which include the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Jury Selection and Services Act) to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics.

Currently only 20 states and Washington D.C. have specific laws to protect LGBTs from discrimination.

The Equality Act would provide uniform protects across the entire U.S.

The Hill reports the legislation is expected to have the support of over 230 representatives in the House and 46 members of the Senate when introduced on Wednesday by Rep. Cicilline and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon in their respective chambers.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has previously announced the Equality Act would be a priority in the House, and with such strong support, passage there looks likely.

But the legislation has been introduced twice before – in 2015 and 2017 – and stalled each time due to the Republican majority in the Senate.

Political pundits believe it will take a Democratic majority in the Senate and a Democrat in the White House for the Equality Act to finally become law.

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House LGBT Caucus Launches #WeAreWithYou Campaign

In observation of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), and the recent wave of anti-LGBT rights legislation introduced at state and federal level, the House Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus is launching a video campaign to show support for the LGBT community.

Via press release:

Featuring over 25 members of the LGBT Congressional Equality Caucus, Rep. Maloney released a video titled “We’re With You,” which is aimed at showing solidarity and support for LGBT equality at a time when many federal, state and local leaders are advancing blatantly discriminatory policy proposals.

These proposals have far-reaching consequences beyond simply legalizing discrimination, including reinforcing feelings of isolation and desperation among already targeted populations. One suicide helpline for trans people has reported that call volume has doubled since the passage of HB 2 in North Carolina. The video aims to combat this trend and echoes this year’s IDAHOT theme of mental health and wellness.

“Discrimination has no place in the law, and these attempts to legalize hate are shameful. These laws tell LGBT people that who they are or who they love makes them less valuable as human beings – and that’s just wrong,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), a Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.

“I started this campaign because, from North Carolina to Missouri, I want LGBT Americans to know that they are not alone. So I am asking my colleagues in Congress and folks across the country to join me and tell our LGBT brothers and sisters, ‘we’ve got your back, and we’re going to keep fighting for you until we win.’”