Happy Pride Month, Team.

Pride Month was established because community leaders, activists, and trailblazers stood up and fought for the right of every person in this country to be themselves, to be free from judgment, hate, and discrimination because of their sexuality, to live with dignity and equality, and to ensure that we protect and assure the legal rights of LGBTQ+ Americans.

The roots of the first Pride parade marked the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, when police raided the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in New York City after midnight on June 28, 1969. That night, after growing tension, police stormed the gay bar and arrested multiple people. The patrons resisted and riots broke out between patrons and police. The uprising lasted a total of six days. Stonewall was solidified as a key moment in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement by the marches that began a year later. 

Today, June is celebrated as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in commemoration of the event.

Recently, we have seen so much hate and discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. States like Michigan give us hope. Michigan Democrats expanded the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, education, housing, real estate, and other areas.

Everyone deserves the same rights and protections under the law regardless of who they are or love, and Michigan is proving what is possible.

We can protect every American by passing the Equality Act, a federal piece of legislation that would explicitly protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans from discrimination in housing, education, stores, banks, and more.

I need your help to show how strong the movement behind the Equality Act is, Team. Will you add your name to show your support for equality and justice by signing my petition to support the Equality Act today?

We must keep fighting until everyone is equal.

Thank you for standing with me this Pride Month,

–  Debbie