Pelosi Video Remarks at San Francisco’s 40th Pride Celebration
Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi recorded remarks for San Francisco’s 40th Pride Celebration and Parade, which takes place this weekend. A transcript of the Speaker’s remarks is below. The video will be shown on Sunday at Pride’s Main Stage and can be viewed here.
"Friends, congratulations on the 40th Annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration and Parade – the largest gathering of LGBT people and allies in the nation. This occasion is indeed ‘40 and fabulous!’
"Last month, Californians celebrated the first annual Harvey Milk Day – an opportunity for both reflection and recommitment to the fundamentally American value of equality. This month, with the Pride Parade, we honor San Francisco's proud history of advocacy for equal rights and we express gratitude for the contributions of the LGBT community to our city, our state, and our nation.
"It is with those contributions in mind that I was so proud that last month the House voted to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. With you as our allies, this policy will be part of the past by the end of this year. And when it is, we will have honored the service of our brave men and women in uniform by recommitting to the values that they fight for on the battlefield.
"This builds on our work to pass a fully-inclusive hate crimes bill, which was signed into law by President Obama. And as for ENDA, we will not stop working until we pass an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This has been a priority of mine for nearly two decades and your continued advocacy is essential to our success.
"We must also end discrimination as it relates to the right to marry. We will continue to fight until all loving couples can get married.
"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, which is our nation’s heritage and our hope. Thank you!"