Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released this statement marking International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia:

“On International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, we reject the bigotry and discrimination that undermines our democracy and inflicts pain and violence on LGBTQ individuals around the world. No person, anywhere, should face harassment or fear losing their jobs, their homes or their lives because of who they are or whom they love.

“In the United States, we have made extraordinary progress toward equality for the LGBTQ community by passing historic, fully inclusive hate-crimes legislation; tossing the hateful ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy into the dustbin of history; defeating the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and ensuring marriage equality for all Americans. Yet, as long as the Trump Administration continues its relentless assault on the rights and dignity of LGBTQ Americans, particularly our brave transgender servicemembers, and refuses to stand up for persecuted LGBTQ communities across the globe, our work remains incomplete.

“Today, House Democrats are honoring our responsibility to protect LGBTQ Americans and bring our nation closer to its founding promise of full equality for all by passing H.R. 5, the Equality Act. This historic legislation ensures that all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated equally under the law — not just in the workplace, but in everyplace. On this day of action, Democrats reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights of LGBTQ people at home and around the world as we work to advance progress toward a brighter, more just and equal future for all.”