[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 116 (Thursday, July 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REFLECTING ON PRIDE MONTH 2023

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HALEY M. STEVENS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 6, 2023

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, last month, I joined my Equality Caucus 
colleagues in recognizing Pride Month--an opportunity to honor the 
LGBTQ+ community, celebrate the developments we have made, and 
acknowledge the work that has yet to be done.
  We have made remarkable progress towards full equality since LGBTQ+ 
patrons fought back against discrimination and police harassment at the 
Stonewall Inn in June of 1969.
  Acceptance of this community has reached important heights, marriage 
equality is the law of the land, and the Supreme Court has made clear 
that workers cannot be fired because of their sexual orientation or 
gender identity.
  Since entering Congress, I have had the distinct privilege of voting 
to pass the Equality Act to prohibit discrimination, the NO HATE Act to 
respond to hate crimes, the Global Respect Act to deny visas to those 
who commit human rights abuses against LGBTQ+ folks, and much more.
  As a lifelong friend of the LGBTQ+ community and a Member of Congress 
committed to the pursuit of global tolerance, I know we still have so 
much work to do.
  Hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in the states in 
recent legislative sessions, and many have been signed into law. Many 
of these laws target young people, and especially trans and nonbinary 
youth.
  Furthermore, I have been disgusted and infuriated by comments that I 
have heard from some of my colleagues across the aisle on the House 
Education and Workforce Committee during recent activity--those who 
wish to delegitimize the gender identities of our youth and strip 
LGBTQ+ students of their rights, resources, and humanity.
  Our kids are suffering, and I will not stand for it.
  To everyone in this beautiful community: know that I see you, I love 
you, and we have a big circle over here on Capitol Hill that will never 
let intolerance--even and especially in the highest levels of 
government--go unchallenged.
  Too many of our LGBTQ+ family, friends, coworkers, and loved ones 
face discrimination every day, all across the nation. Continuing to 
pass pro-equality legislation sends a powerful message to members of 
the LGBTQ+ community that they are not second-class citizens.
  Every human deserves to live as their most authentic self, and every 
American requires equal treatment under the law.
  You deserve to feel safe when on public transportation, in the 
workplace, in the doctor's office, and in the classroom. No exceptions.
  Going forward from this year's pride month, I will continue the fight 
to ensure that LGBTQ+ Americans are safe, secure, and free from 
discrimination.

                          ____________________