Dear John,

These past few days have been particularly painful for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. On Friday, the anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub Massacre, the Trump Administration had the US Department of Health & Human Services roll back protections for transgender men and women, around healthcare discrimination. We've also learned of the tragic deaths of two more trans women of color, Riah Milton and Dominique "Rem'mie" Fells, who were brutally murdered. This continues an alarming trend of violence against the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans women of color.

The Stonewall Uprising is often credited as a major event that galvanized advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. It is important to highlight that this was in part made possible by three women of color, Stormé DeLarverie and Marsha P. Johnson (who were Black and identified as lesbian and transgender, respectively), and Sylvia Rivera (a Puerto Rican, transgender woman).

On June 28, 1969, these three women stood up to police brutality and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, when the Stonewall Inn (a popular tavern frequented by members of the New York City LGBTQ+ community), was raided by police. The homophobic laws that existed at that time allowed law enforcement to harass and attempt to arrest several of the Stonewall's patrons. Riots soon erupted, exposing the inhumane treatment and injustices LGBTQ+ regularly faced, and the modern LGBTQ+ movement for the pursuit of equal rights and justice was sparked.

Today in America, discriminatory laws against members of the LGBTQ+ community are increasing at an alarming rate. Individuals that identify as such can still be fired, evicted, or refused service because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. This is inexcusable and must not be tolerated.

Last year, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. It was meant to honor the courage of the individuals that stood up against injustice, while also highlighting how much more work needs to be done.

The House also passed the Equality Act of 2019 last year, which is a bill that would guarantee equal protections under the law for LGBTQ+ Americans -- a right that Stormé, Marsha, and Sylvia fought for so many years ago. But over a year after the House voted in favor of this bill, it is still sitting on Mitch McConnell's desk.

Will you celebrate Pride Month this year by helping us take action? Sign our petition to demand that Mitch McConnell hold a vote on the Equality Act now!

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In addition to signing this petition, I hope you will continue to speak out for racial equality. I believe that those of us who are protesting for police reforms and accountability are honoring the memory of the LGBTQ+ visionaries like Stormé, Marsha, and Sylvia as well. Our freedom is bound up within the liberation of each other.

Thank you all,

Chris

SIGN THE PETITION >> [link removed]


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