John,

It’s June, and that means a few things: school’s out for the summer, the weather is warming up, and most importantly, it’s Pride Month!

I have fought alongside the LGBTQ+ community since my earliest days on the New York City Council — through advocacy, legislation, and leadership. I was the first City Councilwoman to introduce a domestic partnerships bill, something deemed so controversial at the time that I had to fight to even have it printed.

Fights like these and sacrifices by LGBTQ+ leaders have paved the way for the progress we’ve achieved, but we still have a long way to go to ensure that protections for all members of the LGBTQ+ community are enshrined nationwide.

That’s why I’m proud to have continued my allyship in Congress, working to pass legislation like the Family Medical Leave Inclusion Act and the Equality Act — two vital bills that ensure LGTBQ+ folks are treated justly. We can’t stop working until the battle is won, and we can’t give up even when the going gets tough.

So John, please join me this month and every month in celebrating the LGBTQ+ community here in NYC and across the nation.

Have a happy Pride! 🌈

Carolyn