[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING JUNE AS LGBT PRIDE MONTH

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                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as 
National LGBT Pride Month. Our greatest strength is its promise of 
equality for every citizen, and we have made significant progress in 
ensuring that promise is kept regardless of sexual orientation or 
gender identity.
  As a proud member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, I am 
committed to extending full rights to all Americans, repealing 
discriminatory laws, and eliminating hateful violence.
  This past year has brought many changes in law and policy, and there 
have been noticeable changes in public discourse as well. Last year, 
the military repealed its discriminatory ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' 
policy, and a federal circuit court ruled last week that the Defense of 
Marriage Act is unconstitutional. President Obama's historic 
endorsement of same-sex marriage has also moved this country into a new 
era of progressive thinking and equal rights for all.
  The 37th District of California has seen incredible movement toward 
equality and acceptance. I am proud to represent the significant 
population of gay, lesbian and transgender constituents in my district. 
This is a community that has become integral to the Long Beach area and 
continues to give back to the city in many ways.
  Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. is one of the larger 
philanthropic organizations in the city, and they developed the Long 
Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade in 1984. They have also granted 
nearly one million dollars to local non-profit organizations, and 
organized a toy drive for disabled and disadvantaged children in 
conjunction with catholic charities.
  The Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade continues to be the main 
project for the organization. When it first began its organizers faced 
death threats and fierce opposition. Today, the parade is the nation's 
third-largest pride parade and attracts over 75,000 participants 
annually. It is heralded as one of the district's most popular 
attractions, and its organizers have helped to foster greater 
understanding and respect in the community.
  During my time in Congress I have supported many different areas of 
LGBT legislation. I am an original co-sponsor of multiple bills 
including: the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to prohibit 
discrimination in the work place; the Equal Access to COBRA Act which 
guarantees the continuation of health coverage to any qualified 
beneficiary under an employer's health insurance; and the Reuniting 
Families Act which supports the core value of keeping all families 
together regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity together.
  I voted to repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, and signed the 
amicus brief declaring the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, 
and I am proud the Obama Administration will no longer defend section 3 
of DOMA. These actions make our country stronger not weaker; they bring 
our national policies closer to our national ideals; and they affirm 
that in America it is the content of our character that counts, not 
immutable characteristics of birth.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues and American citizens to join me in 
celebrating the accomplishments of the LGBT community across the United 
States. However, there is still so much more work to be done. Every 
citizen of this country deserves the same opportunities regardless of 
sexual orientation or gender identity. Recent events have made 
momentous gains towards that goal, but let us not forget we still have 
a long fight ahead of us.

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