LGBTQ Equality

Defending Marriage Equality

In June 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that marriage is a fundamental right guaranteed to same-sex couples by the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.  I applauded this decision, which made state-level bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

Promoting fairness and justice is a hallmark of who we are as Americans.  I believe all men and women should have the freedom to love and marry whomever they choose, and the Supreme Court’s decision will go down in history as a landmark victory for those who believe in equality before the law.  Marriage rights should not depend on what state you live in or who you love, but the understanding that all men and women should be afforded that right.

Fighting Discrimination

Although we now have marriage equality, there is still institutionalized discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in public accommodations, housing, employment, and other core areas of daily life.  That is why I am an original cosponsor of the Equality Act, which bars discrimination against LGBTQ Americans in public accommodations, education, federal financial assistance, employment, housing, credit, and federal jury service. 

I am also proud to be a cosponsor of the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would require school districts to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion, as well as being an original cosponsor of the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, which  would require colleges and universities receiving federal student aid funding to prohibit harassment and to establish a grant program to support campus anti-harassment programs. While these bills are a step in the right direction, we must do more to ensure the LGBTQ community is not excluded from full participation in all aspects of American life.