Equality
I oppose discrimination in all forms, whether based on gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Wisconsin is home to a large and diverse LGBT community. As a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, I am a champion for equality and I have fought tirelessly to end discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals. I will continue to fight and support all efforts to ensure that discrimination in the workplace, in the military, in our schools, and in our everyday lives comes to an end.
The country has recently made great strides to ensure equality for all – Congress repealed Department of Defense Directive 1304.26 (the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”) policy of the U.S. Military and the Supreme Court recently decided to strike down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). But I know there is still more work to do. In 2013, I introduced the Restore Honor to Service Members Act to ensure that gay and lesbian veterans who were discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation receive the honor and recognition they deserve. I also sponsored the bipartisan Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (DPBO), which would grant federal employees in same sex domestic partnerships the same rights, protections and obligations afforded to heterosexual married couples. Furthermore, I continue to fight to end discrimination against same-sex couples in federal immigration laws, urge passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and require the federal government to provide equal treatment to its LGBT employees.
More on Equality
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Governor Scott Walker and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen’s appeal after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Wisconsin’s same-sex marriage ban:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, today issued the following statement on a decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruling that Wisconsin’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional:
“Today’s decision puts Wisconsin back on track to ensuring full equality for every American,” said Rep. Mark Pocan. “It is clear discriminatory laws that treat LGBT couples as second-class citizens will not stand in a court of law.”
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, today issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s historic decisions in United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry, which struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and dismissed the California’s Prop 8 case on a lack of standing:
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Congressman Ron Kind (WI-3), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4) and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-2) have sent a letter to United States Attorney General Eric Holder asking that the same-sex couples in Wisconsin who have received marriage licenses be recognized for federal purposes.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, today issued the following statement on President Obama’s executive order which protects LGBT workers from employment discrimination by federal contractors:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Reps.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, today issued the following statement on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin’s ruling that the state’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Charlie Rangel (NY-13), lead sponsors of the bipartisan “Restore Honor to Service Members Act,” today applauded the introduction of this bill in the U.S. Senate by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
MADISON, WI—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today applauded the U.S. Senate on its bipartisan passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and called on Speaker Boehner to bring the commonsense legislation up for a vote in the House. ENDA would extend federal employment discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Pocan is an original co-sponsor of the House version of ENDA, which is currently supported by 196 bipartisan members of Congress.
MADISON, WI—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, today released the following statement after the Senate moved to advance the bipartisan Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would extend federal employment discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Pocan is an original co-sponsor of the House version of ENDA, which is currently supported by more than 190 bipartisan members.