Pelosi Statement on San Francisco Pride Celebration
Contact: Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616
San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today marking San Francisco’s 41st Pride Celebration and Parade. Events kick off tomorrow, Wednesday, June 22, with the City Hall Pride Flag Raising and continue through the San Francisco Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26:
“San Francisco Pride is the largest gathering of LGBT people and allies in the nation – a tribute to our proud history of advocacy for equal rights and the LBGT community’s contributions to our city, our state, and our nation.
“To mark the 41st celebration of San Francisco Pride, I was proud to visit the Trevor Project’s Harvey Milk Call Center this week, where advocates, activists, and neighbors come together to send the message to LGBT youth that the ‘future’s so bright.’ Inspired by the ongoing work of the Trevor Project and so many others, and the need to protect LGBT youth, I was proud to join Congressman Jared Polis in introducing the Student Non-Discrimination Act, prohibiting federally-funded school programs from discriminating against students based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
“As we work toward a tomorrow of respect and progress for LGBT Americans, we must keep fighting in Congress to pass a fully-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act. We must repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, building on President Obama’s decision to no longer defend this indefensible statute. And we must enact comprehensive immigration reform that respects LGBT families.
“We must continue the march toward marriage equality in Congress, in state capitols, in the courts and at the ballot box. In California, that means standing strong in our legal battle to overturn Prop. 8 and put an end to this fundamental injustice in our state. Across the country, with New York on the cusp of marriage equality, that means pushing elected officials to extend the rights and responsibilities of marriage to all citizens.
“Though there’s still more work to do, we take pride in the achievements of the Democratic Congress: enacting fully-inclusive hate crimes legislation; repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ – one of my proudest moments in Congress; and, on this 30th anniversary of the first AIDS diagnosis, expanding investments in HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and research. With the leadership of Representatives Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polis and David Cicilline, we will build on these accomplishments and continue the fight for the rights of all LGBT Americans.
“San Francisco Pride is the pride of our city; it is also a beacon of hope for people across the country and around the world. Today, we reflect on our progress and recommit to ensuring that LGBT Americans achieve true equality, our nation’s heritage and our hope.”
To mark the 41st celebration of San Francisco Pride, Leader Pelosi visited Trevor Project’s Harvey Milk Call Center