Pelosi Statement on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released this statement on the commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia:

“On International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, we affirm the worth of LGBT people everywhere. Every person should be free to live their own lives – no matter who they are, who they love, or where they live. Civic leaders, citizens and people in every community must work together to create a world that embraces progress and rejects bigotry.

“President Obama’s historic leadership in advancing LGBT equality deserves praise. We are particularly grateful for the recent actions by the Education Department and Department of Justice, and the Health and Human Services affirming the rights of transgender Americans. By ensuring transgender students have access to facilities that correspond to their gender identities and protecting transgender patients from being denied health care; the United States is moving forward.

“House Democrats have fought to make America more American by passing a fully inclusive hate crimes law, ending ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and celebrating marriage equality for all. Now, Congress must pass the Equality Act, and end the exclusion, violence and discrimination against LGBT Americans that undermine our democracy. Together, we can support LGBT people around the world as they secure the basic human rights that every person should enjoy.”

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