John – Happy Pride Month!

Every person – no matter who they love, or how they identify – deserves equal protection under the law. Although this seems basic, it has been threatened repeatedly by Congress, the Court, and in our communities.

That’s why Jahana is an original co-sponsor of the Equality Act, which is historic legislation that extends full anti-discrimination protections to our LGBTQ+ family, friends and neighbors under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In many states, it is still legal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Too many LGBTQ+ Americans can be denied employment, education, credit, jury service, federal funding, housing, or public accommodations because of how they identify.

Jahana has been a champion for the LGBTQ+ community, working to put an end to decades of discrimination and ensure fair and equitable treatment in every facet of life. She is a proud member of the Congressional Equality Caucus and has led a number of policy initiatives to ensure protections for the LGBTQ+ community including:

• Leading a letter to the Department of Education condemning the former administration’s intention to withhold federal funds based on Connecticut’s transgender-inclusive athletic policy
• Helping bring to light the alarming levels of bullying, harassment, and abuse of LGBTQ+ youth in Connecticut and in schools across the nation
• Introducing the Eliminating the HHS Discrimination Division Act, which would abolish the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division at the Department of Health and Human Services
• Advocating for adequate housing resources to LGBTQ+ youth who are disproportionately likely to become homeless

That is why Jahana’s voice is so important in Congress today. With GOP State Legislatures around the country set to deny basic rights to the LGBTQ+ community, Jahana is instead leading with responsibility and decency. She is our seat at the table at a time when our voices need to be heard.

Every American should be treated with dignity and respect. This Pride Month, let’s keep fighting for LGBTQ+ equality and help remedy these ongoing injustices.

– Team Hayes