[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 107 (Thursday, July 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING SAN DIEGO'S 2014 LGBT Pride Festival

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT H. PETERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2014

  Mr. PETERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the San 
Diego community in celebrating the 2014 San Diego LGBT Pride festival 
and parade.
  From that historic night at Stonewall, 45 years ago, to California 
icon Harvey Milk, to the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and last 
year's overturning of DOMA and Prop 8--we have experienced uneven but 
unmistakable progress towards equality for our LGBT family, friends, 
coworkers, and neighbors.
  In San Diego we have seen momentous contributions from the LGBT 
community--from The Center, an organization devoted to the care and 
well-being of the local LGBT community, where I was privileged to serve 
on the Board of Directors.
  To my friend and City Council colleague Toni Atkins, recently elected 
the first San Diegan and openly lesbian Speaker of the California 
Assembly, and Todd Gloria who stepped in and stabilized our city in a 
time of crisis.
  To local leaders like Robert Gleason who has been named the 2014 LGBT 
Pride Month Local Hero. Robert's tireless efforts and ability to build 
consensus helped create San Diego's LOST Community Leadership Council.
  While we've made progress, establishing marriage equality in 
California and numerous other states across the country--a number that 
is growing--the fight for full equality is far from over.
  Currently, there is no federal law that explicitly protects LGBT 
individuals from employment discrimination.
  I am proud to be a strong and vocal supporter of LGBT civil rights, 
including a comprehensive Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to ensure 
that LGBT Americans in every state can live their lives openly without 
the fear of being fired from their jobs for who they are or who they 
love.
  It is time for Congress to do its job and pass this bipartisan 
legislation. Thankfully there is progress on this front. A few months 
ago I sent President Obama a letter urging him to bar workplace 
discrimination by federal contractors.
  I am proud that President Obama has decided to do just that and 
announced executive orders to protect LGBT federal employees and those 
working for federal contractors from workplace discrimination on the 
basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  As we work toward full equality, I will continue to be a strong 
advocate for the rights of the LGBT community as I have been in the 
past. I hope you will stay engaged and active in this effort.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing San 
Diego's LGBT community and look forward to celebrating with them during 
this year's Pride festival.

                          ____________________