Hoyer Video Message on LGBT Pride Month

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“Hi.  I’m Congressman Steny Hoyer from Maryland and the Democratic Whip in the House of Representatives. I’m proud to join in celebrating LGBT Pride Month.

"Throughout this month, we honor the struggle of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to secure equality and recognition. And we remember those whose lives were tragically cut short or made unbearable because others could not and would not accept them for who they were.

“We must always strive to build an America where all are accepted and respected. Where all are treated with equal dignity. And where everyone is equal under our laws.

“As we celebrate Pride, let us draw strength from all that has been achieved, including marking the one-year anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in favor of marriage equality.

“We will need that strength to overcome together the very difficult struggles that continue.

“These include fighting efforts that put transgender people in danger just for using the bathroom and the discriminatory laws that permit businesses to refuse service to LGBT Americans and their families.

“I am proud to stand with millions of LGBT Americans in pushing back against those efforts and working to bring positive change.

“That’s why I’ve cosponsored the Equality Act, which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, public accommodations, employment, education, and – yes – even jury service. 

“And I’m working closely with my colleagues in the Equality Caucus to put pressure on the Republican House Majority to bring it to the Floor for a vote.

“From the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ when I was Majority Leader to the Supreme Court’s historic ruling on marriage equality, we’ve made extraordinary progress in recent years.

“I look forward to building on that progress in the years ahead. And I wish everyone a very happy and meaningful LGBT Pride Month.”