Hoyer Statement on LGBT Pride Month
Press Types
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
June 1, 2018
Contact Info:
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on LGBT Pride Month, which is observed throughout the month of June:
“As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month, let us pay tribute to the courageous individuals and organizations whose actions and sacrifices have paved the long and difficult road to equality. That road, though now stretching far into the distance, remains incomplete. It will be an unfinished project until there are no longer any barriers to equality in education, employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, jury service, or any aspect of life. As we celebrate pride, we must recommit ourselves proudly to the work of eliminating the discrimination that continues.
“One of the personal highlights of my career in public service was helping to lead the fight in Congress to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and supporting marriage equality before the Supreme Court decision. It has been deeply saddening to see President Trump break his promises to LGBT Americans over the past year and a half by ending protections for transgender students, ignoring the plight of LGBT people around the world suffering persecution, and surrounding himself with appointees who oppose LGBT equality and dignity. His directive forcing the military to ban transgender service members against the advice of military leaders and against the needs of our Armed Forces further underscores the danger to LGBT Americans from this Administration. I will continue working closely with my colleagues in the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus to promote legislation, like the Equality Act, that ends discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity once and for all and to defend the victories already won against those who would turn the clock back. The march of equality must – and will – continue forward.”
“As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month, let us pay tribute to the courageous individuals and organizations whose actions and sacrifices have paved the long and difficult road to equality. That road, though now stretching far into the distance, remains incomplete. It will be an unfinished project until there are no longer any barriers to equality in education, employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, jury service, or any aspect of life. As we celebrate pride, we must recommit ourselves proudly to the work of eliminating the discrimination that continues.
“One of the personal highlights of my career in public service was helping to lead the fight in Congress to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and supporting marriage equality before the Supreme Court decision. It has been deeply saddening to see President Trump break his promises to LGBT Americans over the past year and a half by ending protections for transgender students, ignoring the plight of LGBT people around the world suffering persecution, and surrounding himself with appointees who oppose LGBT equality and dignity. His directive forcing the military to ban transgender service members against the advice of military leaders and against the needs of our Armed Forces further underscores the danger to LGBT Americans from this Administration. I will continue working closely with my colleagues in the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus to promote legislation, like the Equality Act, that ends discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity once and for all and to defend the victories already won against those who would turn the clock back. The march of equality must – and will – continue forward.”