Equality

Throughout my career, I have firmly believed in President Abraham Lincoln's vision that our country is on an evolutionary path to full equality for all Americans and that the fight for human rights remains ongoing. I’ve always believed that it is our moral obligation to ensure justice for all, and not allow race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation to divide us.

As Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, I’ve been an outspoken advocate in the fight for marriage equality. To highlight the disproportionate impact poverty and income inequality has on the LGBT community, I’ve used my role on the Equality Caucus to bring together experts to talk about potential solutions through regular series of briefings on the “Economics of Equality”. I’m also proud to be a leader in Congress of the bipartisan, bicameral fight for a much needed change to the FDA’s outdated and discriminatory blood donation policy for gay men. I’ve also worked to protect the rights of LGBT individuals in immigration detention. And while full marriage equality was a momentous victory, it is hardly the end of the fight for full equality for all Americans. That is why I helped introduce the Equality Act, which is the first comprehensive bill designed to ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in the core areas of daily life including in public accommodations, housing, and employment.

As a founding member of the Transgender Equality Task Force, I was proud to re-launch this important effort in March 2017.

Whether it’s fighting for marriage equality, opposing senseless discrimination, or standing up for those who cannot defend themselves, I believe that we must be guided by doing what’s right, what’s fair, and what’s just. Our country is at its best when all voices are heard and represented equally and we must always strive towards that goal.