Happy Pride Month, John!

This past weekend, Lauren joined folks across IL-14 to celebrate Pride and commemorate the incredible work the LGBTQ+ movement has accomplished by walking in our district’s annual Pride parade.

At a time when LGBTQ+ rights, and trans rights in particular, are under attack from the far-right, we must acknowledge that despite our progress: our efforts to create a world where every LGBTQ+ person can live and thrive as their authentic self is far from over.

This year, over 45 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been passed in legislatures across our country to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth, allow the misgendering of transgender students, target drag performances, censor school curricula, and so much more.

That’s why every day in Congress, Lauren is standing with and fighting for the LGBTQ+ community by working to pass critical legislation to ensure folks across our country aren't discriminated against or face violence based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

While Lauren is focused on advancing equality, many of her far-right Republican opponents, including Jack Lombardi, have spewed hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community, vocalized their desire to ban LBGTQ+ books from classrooms and to prevent LGBTQ+ people from living as their true, authentic selves.

That’s why during this month, as we proudly celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, we must also recommit to our fight for justice and equality and work towards electing representatives who will ensure everyone can live proudly and peacefully, no matter who you are or how you identify.

Thank you for celebrating Pride Month with us and taking a stand for LGBTQ+ rights.

— Team Underwood