[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 31, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      INTERNATIONAL LGBTQI+ RIGHTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 31, 2022

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the LGBTQIA+ 
community as we enter Pride month and reaffirm our commitment to LGBTQ 
rights for people all over the world. Everyone should have equal 
protection under the law regardless of sexual orientation, gender 
identity, or gender expression. We shall celebrate and commemorate our 
diversity and raise awareness over the issues that plague our 
communities, including the LGBTQIA+ communities.
  The LGBTQIA+ community is filled with giants who have made 
immeasurable contributions to our country, including Marsha P. Johnson, 
who dedicated her life to helping homeless transgender youth and who 
led the Stonewall uprising, Harvey Milk, the first openly gay official 
in California, and Audre Lorde, the writer who devoted her life to 
confronting the intersectionality of discrimination.
  It is unconscionable that anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination continues to 
threaten the LGBTQ+ community. From workplace discrimination, lack of 
access to healthcare, homelessness, to high rates of violence, it is no 
secret that these issues are systemic.
  LGBTQIA+ rights are critical to the future of this country. Our 
country is stronger and better off when everyone is protected under the 
law and has the equal opportunity. I reintroduced H. Res. 1128, the 
2022 Resolution Calling to End Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia, and 
Intersexphobia, to uplift the LGBTQIA+ community. H. Res. 1128 is a 
call for full equality and acceptance for all LGBTQIA+ people in this 
country and around the world.
  We must take immediate steps to address the disparities in access to 
healthcare and cultivate inclusive environments in all our communities. 
Make no mistake, we still have a long way to go to achieve true 
equality, but we have the power to take a step in the right direction. 
In a world where we can be anything, let's choose to be allies who love 
their neighbors, no matter who they love.
  Madam Speaker, I urge the entire House to join me in uplifting 
LGBTQIA+ rights in all our communities. Our country and world win when 
people are free from discrimination and are given equal opportunity. We 
must protect this community and we must find the political will to do 
it.

                          ____________________