[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 52 (Friday, March 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE GAY AND LESBIAN ACTIVISTS ALLIANCE OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 19, 2021

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, as the member representing the District of 
Columbia in Congress, I am proud and honored that the District has the 
oldest continuously active LGBTQ civil rights organization in the 
nation, the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, D.C. 
(GLAA).
  GLAA has worked tirelessly for LGBTQ people in D.C. since its 
founding in April 1971. April of this year marks GLAA's 50th 
anniversary. This is an incredible milestone in the history of D.C.'s 
premier LGBTQ organization. Over the past 50 years, GLAA has worked 
tirelessly for the passage of many important legislative and policy 
measures that affect LGBTQ Americans, especially in the District.
  Equality for all Americans has always been a priority for me in 
Congress, but equal treatment for LGBTQ people has long held even 
greater significance to me. Congressional opponents of equality for 
LGBTQ people have used D.C.'s unique status as a weapon against LGBTQ 
people in D.C. For example, I had to defeat many bills and amendments 
that would have blocked D.C.'s marriage equality law.
  I was pleased to celebrate GLAA's work to help pass the D.C. 
Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act in 2010, 
which removed any doubt in the District of the right of same-sex 
couples to marry. The act served to recognize same-sex marriages five 
years before the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. This 
remarkable effort exhibits the dedication and success that GLAA has 
displayed throughout its history. Its work extends well beyond this and 
includes a commitment to strengthen and enforce the D.C. Human Rights 
Act of 1977 to include protections for LGBTQ seniors and transgender 
Washingtonians.
  GLAA has done extensive coalition-building and continues to defend 
the rights of LGBTQ youth and seniors, particularly when it comes to 
issues surrounding policing, healthcare, housing and consumer 
protection. What GLAA has done, and continues to accomplish, in these 
very personal and meaningful areas of life for LGBTQ residents should 
be applauded and uplifted. I have confidence that the future will bring 
even more success with GLAA's presence in our community, for which we 
should all be grateful.
  I ask the House to join me in honoring GLAA and celebrating GLAA's 50 
years of remarkable, distinguished service to and advocacy for the 
LGBTQ community in the District of Columbia.

                          ____________________