Hoyer, Honda, Polis, & Brady Recommend Anti-Discrimination Policies Protecting LGBT Congressional Employees

Press Release

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) was joined by Reps. Mike Honda (D-Ca.), Jared Polis (D-Co.), and Robert Brady (D-Pa.) in proposing new guidelines to help Members protect LGBT Congressional staff against discrimination and harassment. Earlier this month, House Republicans refused to include protections for LGBT employees in the House Rules for the 114th Congress, rejecting requests made by Whip Hoyer in December and Rep. Honda in September to do so. In a letter last night to their Democratic colleagues, they recommended sample language to be included in individual Members' employment policies that would ban discrimination and harassment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender employees and promote a safe and inclusive workplace. Many Democratic offices already have similar policies in place.

"Under the current House Rules, an employee who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender may be fired, demoted, denied a promotion, or otherwise discriminated against because of his or her sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression," the letter states. "This remains the case even while hundreds of LGBT individuals employed by the House are advancing the work of the Congress and are playing an important role in helping us serve our constituents. We must ensure that these hard-working, dedicated Americans can continue to serve our country without fear of workplace discrimination. In light of House Republicans' failure earlier this month to propose Rules for the full House that would protect LGBT staff, it is up to each of us as Members to provide a safe and inclusive environment for our LGBT employees. Without their hard work, we could not as ably conduct the business of the people we are privileged to represent."

"It is critical that we demonstrate to our hard-working LGBT employees in the House not only that their work is valued but that they are valued and protected as individuals and as Americans," Whip Hoyer said. "I was proud to work closely with my colleagues to develop this sample anti-discrimination policy, and I hope that both Democrats and Republicans choose to put this policy in place for their offices."

"It is unbelievable to me that the House of Representatives still allows its offices to discriminate against their employees because of actual or perceived sexual orientations or gender identities. The model policy we are releasing today is a step towards righting this wrong," said Rep. Honda. "It shows everyone what a fair and equitable policy would look like. In September, I testified before the House Rules Committee for a change in the rules to protect LGBT congressional staff. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership opposed my recommendation. I will continue to look for ways to ensure that the People's House is a truly equal opportunity employer."

"Despite growing support for the LGBT community throughout the country, our federal laws continue to lag behind, leaving too many of our friends and family unprotected from discrimination," said Rep. Polis. "As Members of Congress we can lead by example, and I'm excited that Whip Hoyer, Congressman Honda, and Congressman Brady have taken up the cause to make change in the U.S. House of Representatives. My hope is that many more will take this step while we continue to fight for full equality under the law."

"While I have had a similar policy in place in my office for some time, and I know that many of my Democratic colleagues have also instituted similar policies, I agree wholeheartedly that anti-discrimination policies that protect LGBT employees should be implemented across the entire House," Rep. Brady said. "As Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, I am happy to work with my colleagues in assisting their offices in incorporating this important element into their personnel policies."