Issue Position: Civil Rights

Issue Position

As a founding member of the Congressional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Equality Caucus, I strongly support equal protection under the law for all people, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. We have succeeded in creating a more tolerant America, where people recognize that we all share the same hopes, dreams, and aspirations. However, some in our country still carry hatred and intolerance and we must continue to be vigilant in our fight against discrimination.

That's why I was a cosponsor of H.R. 2965, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which passed Congress and was signed into law by President Barack Obama. This bill repeals the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which allows gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemen and women to be discharged as a result of their sexual orientation. Under this failed policy, thousands of highly qualified servicemembers have been discharged from their duties with the military, which is nothing short of discrimination. While I was unable to vote on the repeal legislation due to a family emergency, I strongly support the repeal.

In the 111th Congress, I supported strengthening civil rights protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans. In addition, I was an original cosponsor of H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which classified crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity as federal hate crimes and provided law enforcement with the tools necessary to prevent hate crimes. Also, I voted for this bill as part of the H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which President Obama signed into law on October 28, 2009. It's my hope that this legislation will make everyone safe from crimes based on race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

I consistently have cosponsored employment non-discrimination legislation prohibiting employers from using an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for hiring, firing, promotion, or compensation. That's why, last Congress, I was a cosponsor of H.R. 3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would have prohibited employers from using an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for hiring, firing, promotion, or compensation. Additionally, I was a cosponsor of H.R. 2517, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, a bill which would have extended to domestic partners of a federal employees the same retirement benefits and insurance benefits that are currently available to spouses of federal employees. Furthermore, as the human resources director for a high-tech manufacturing firm in California more than 20 years ago, I established the company policy of non-discrimination based on sexual orientation. Please know I am committed to continuing the fight to expand these protections to all people.

In 111th Congress, I was a cosponsor of H.R. 2792, the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act, which would have permitted leave to care for a domestic partner, in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent if that person has a serious health condition. You can be sure that I will continue to fight for increased Family and Medical Leave and support any efforts not to roll back this family-friendly law.

Protecting the rights of all Americans citizens, no matter what their sexual orientation is one of my top priorities.

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