All Americans, no matter who they are or whom they love, deserve full equality. I’m fighting in Congress to make this a reality. I support legislation that ensures LGBTQ+ folks are not being discriminated against in any form. People in the LGBTQ+ community must have complete and unobstructed access to healthcare, have the ability to shop in whatever stores they wish to, regardless of the owner’s personal beliefs, and have the freedom to use the restroom that matches their gender identity.
Additionally, I am appalled by the Trump Administration’s plan to ban transgender service members and recruits from serving in the military. As the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have been an outspoken leader in the fight to stop this policy. Service members and veterans should not be attacked for who they are by the country that they serve.
Particularly in the past few decades, we have seen significant, positive strides in the fight for the full equality for LGBTQ+ people, notably including marriage equality. I’m committed to continuing this important work and will always work in tandem with local LGBTQ+ advocates and organizations to understand how I can best advocate for our LGBTQ+ community in Congress.