Despite the recent progress we have made to eliminate discriminatory laws and promote an environment of acceptance, the LGBTQI+ community continues to face deeply rooted institutional and social discrimination throughout America. The fact remains that there are still far too many laws that systemically oppress our LGBTQI+ family, friends, and neighbors.

Not only are these laws harmful to American business and our reputation as a country, but they are morally bankrupt. We all must stand up in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community against the bigotry they too often face.

As a member of the Congressional LGBTQI+ Equality Caucus and the Congressional Transgender Equality Task Force, I’m worked vigorously to guarantee that every American, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is treated equally under the law.

The LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act

With the bipartisan House passage of the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act, which I proudly introduced, Congress took necessary action to close the data gap that for too long has neglected to count our LGBTQI+ community. Full equality and sound policy can only be achieved when we count all members of our community.

The LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act would require federal surveys to include data collection on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics, on a voluntary basis. Agencies would be required to identify and employ appropriate methods to include questions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics.

Lawmakers and agencies are one step closer to finally having comprehensive data to craft better policies to remedy and address the disparities faced by LGBTQI+ individuals — particularly people of color — to ensure their needs are met. I applaud the leadership of Chair Maloney who helped shepherd this legislation, my colleagues for voting to pass the bill, and the overwhelming support of outside groups that advocate for the rights of LGBTQI+ people.

Respect for Marriage Act

I’m a co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. This bill would enshrine the constitutional right of marriage equality for same sex and interracial couples guaranteed by Obergefell and Loving, repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and provide additional legal protections for marriage equality.

This bill comes directly in response to comments by Justice Clarence Thomas following the appalling Dobbs decision that overturned Roe and eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. In his opinion, Justice Thomas wrote, “we should reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.” Those cases established the right to contraception, the right to a consensual partner of the same sex, and the right to same-sex marriage. The Senate must urgently pass marriage equality into law.