[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF CLEVELAND PRIDE FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Cleveland 
Pride Festival, just one of countless celebrations taking place 
throughout the country during LGBT Pride Month. June marks the 43rd 
anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, an event which is largely regarded 
as the catalyst for the modern day LGBT movement for equality.
   There is a long history of systematic discrimination against the 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning community in 
every state in the union. Discrimination against someone based on any 
part of their identity means that anyone who is expressing themselves 
can be discriminated against. It means we are creating a system in 
which everyone has to be the same, and everyone has to express 
themselves the same way. Boring and wrong!
   Fortunately, over the last several years, we are beginning to see 
responses to the growing demand for protection against discrimination 
in all forms, including workplace protections to prevent discrimination 
based on actual or perceived gender identity and sexual orientation.
   As a strong proponent of LGBT rights, I have supported legislative 
initiatives that work toward codifying equality for members of the LGBT 
community. I strongly support legislation such as the Employment Non-
Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Student Non-Discrimination Act, the 
Respect for Marriage Act and the Social Security Equality Act, 
initiatives that simply provide members of the LGBT community with the 
same privileges, protections and benefits as everyone else. As one of 
over 100 members to sign onto an amicus brief challenging the 
constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court, I 
applaud the recent decision by a federal appeals court to rule DOMA 
unconstitutional.
   Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me as people throughout the 
City of Cleveland and the country celebrate LGBT Pride Month. Let us 
work to ensure that all people are treated equally regardless of their 
sexual orientation or gender identity.

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