In cities across the country, people have just concluded celebrating Pride Month for the LGBTQ community. Members and allies alike have taken to the streets for parades and parties– laughing, loving, and this year, mourning.
But we know it’s not enough to just celebrate. We need to act.
We need to ensure safe spaces exist for LGBTQ Americans, by strengthening non-discrimination laws in the workplace.
We need to get rid of the unscientific ban on sexually active gay men donating blood so they can help others during tragedy.
We need comprehensive immigration reform to reunite LGBTQ families and provide opportunity for those seeking America’s freedoms.
We need to protect our transgender brothers and sisters from the brutal violence that they suffer frequently, particularly in communities of color.
And, now more than ever, we need to strengthen our gun laws so another Orlando does not happen.
The celebrations have ended but now there’s more work to do. Call your Congressman and ask him or her to take action the important issues facing the LGBTQ community. Here are specific pieces of legislation you can advocate for, right now:
- Every Child Deserves a Family Act (S. 1382)- ECDFA would prohibit any public child welfare agency receiving federal financial assistance from discriminating against any potential foster or adoptive family on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.
- Equality Act (H.R. 3185)- The Equality Act would provide consistent and explicit anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.
- End Racial Profiling Act (H.R. 1933)- This act would prohibit federal, state, and local law enforcement from targeting a person based on actual or perceived race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation without trustworthy information that is relevant to linking a person to a crime.
- Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 3053)- This is the first gun control measure introduced after the shooting at Pulse nightclub, and would add federal and state hate crimes to the list of convictions that prevent people from buying firearms.
In solidarity,
Jessica Stram
Issue Advocacy Director
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