Equality

Fight for LGBTQIA+ Rights

The LGBTQIA+ community’s struggle did not end with the legalization of same sex marriage.

People in the queer community are disproportionately affected by the same issues we all experience—lack of access to housing, education, and healthcare; violence; workplace discrimination; among many others. I will fight in Congress to uplift the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially when that intersects with other marginalized identities.

  • 29% of transgender people said a healthcare professional refused to see them because of their actual or perceived gender identity
  • LGBTQIA+ youth are five times as likely to attempt suicide than cis- and/or straight youth
  • Over one-fifth of LGBTQIA+ workers still report workplace discrimination and more than half of states do not have any protections for sexual/gender identity
  • Fatal violence against transgender people in the United States is on the rise, disproportionately impacting transgender women of color
  • Due to the intersection of bigotry and transphobia, Black transgender people face higher levels of employment and housing discrimination, policy brutality, and health care disparities

 

Vision and policy priorities

Protect LGBTQIA+ Youth

All young people deserve to be safe regardless of if they are at school, in public, or at home. I will fight to end the epidemic of bullying and violence against queer youth. Young LGBTQIA+ are disproportionately affected by mental illness, homelessness, and drug abuse and addiction. We must treat these issues as a public health crisis.​

  • Pass national anti-bullying legislation
  • Prevent discrimination against LGBTQIA+ youth and families in the foster care system
  • Ban conversion therapy
  • Provide funding for culturally competent mental health services geared towards LGBTQIA+ youth
  • Ensure affordable housing and end youth homelessness

 

End discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community

We must end all forms of discrimination against the queer community. LGBTQIA+ individuals still report experiencing discrimination at work, at the doctor’s office, when trying to rent an apartment, or receive a loan to buy a home.

  • Fight against any efforts to undermine LGBTQIA+ rights in the name of religious liberty
  • Strengthen national protections against discrimination for both gender identity and sexual orientation through the Equality Act I co-sponsored that passed the House
  • Ensure that care specific to the LGBTQIA+ community, such as gender-confirmation surgery, is covered by health insurance plans
  • Enact protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals who are incarcerated, and ensure transgender people who are incarcerated are placed with their gender identity
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