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Celebrating Pride Month

Floor Speech

Date: June 6, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

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Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Pride Month.

For generations and across industries, LGBTQ Americans have directly contributed to America's greatness. Chicagoland is home to many of these leaders, like Carol A. Johnson, a union and HIV activist; Kim Hunt, a policy expert; the late Vernita Gray, a community activist; business leaders like Fred Eychaner and Tracy Baim.

In the last few years, we have made remarkable progress towards equality. On June 26, we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of marriage equality for all Americans, yet much work still remains.

Trans Americans are still too often the victims of violence, harassment, and exploitation. Too many struggling with who they are or whom they love resort to self-harm and suicide. And, sadly, we have a man in the White House who is unwilling to recognize June as Pride Month.

Despite these challenges, LGBTQ Americans and their family, including me, stand as united as ever, and we will keep pushing until real, true, and lasting equality isn't just encoded in law but encoded in our hearts.

Happy Pride.

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