Civil Rights

As a founding member of the Congressional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Equality Caucus, I strongly support equal protection under the law for all people, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation.  We have succeeded in creating a more tolerant America, where people recognize that we all share the same hopes, dreams, and aspirations.  However, some people in our country still carry hatred and intolerance and we must continue to be vigilant in our fight against discrimination.  Furthermore, as the human resources director for a high-tech manufacturing firm in California more than twenty years ago, I established the company policy of non-discrimination based on sexual orientation. 

That’s why I was a cosponsor of H.R. 2965, the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which passed Congress and was signed into law by President Barack Obama.  This bill repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, which allowed gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemen and women to be discharged as a result of their sexual orientation.  Under this failed policy, thousands of highly qualified servicemembers were discharged from their duties with the military, which is nothing short of discrimination. 

Additionally, I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 3485, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, a bill which would extend to domestic partners of a federal employees the same retirement benefits and insurance benefits that are available currently to spouses of federal employees.  I consistently have cosponsored employment non-discrimination legislation prohibiting employers from using an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for hiring, firing, promotion, or compensation.  That’s why, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1397, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which will prohibit employers from using an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for hiring, firing, promotion, or compensation.  Additionally, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2364, the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act, which will permit leave to care for a domestic partner, in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent if that person has a serious health condition.  You can be sure that I will continue to fight for increased Family and Medical Leave and support any efforts not to roll back this family-friendly law.  Please know I am committed to continuing the fight to expand these protections to all people.  Protecting the rights of all Americans citizens, no matter what their sexual orientation is one of my top priorities.

(Updated April 2012)