Pelosi Statement on LGBTQ Pride Month

San Francisco – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month:

"For more than half a century, Pride Month has been a powerful expression of resilience, love and solidarity. Rooted in the courage of Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and all those who rose up against police violence at the Stonewall Inn, Pride is an opportunity for Americans to celebrate the beauty of our nation's LGBTQ community, speak out against hateful bigotry and advance the fight for justice and equality.

"As right-wing forces attempt to silence LGBTQ voices and threaten to wind back hard-won progress, the struggle against hate remains as urgent as ever. Across the country, extremist Republicans are waging an all-out assault on the safety and well-being of the LGBTQ community – from targeting trans children in Texas to bullying LGBTQ students in Florida. And on our nation's highest court, a Republican-appointed majority is poised to severely weaken the right to privacy, which poses a direct threat to marriage equality.

"Democrats have long been proud to march and fight alongside tireless LGBTQ advocates, whether combating the HIV/AIDS crisis, repealing ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' or enacting landmark hate crime legislation. Strengthened by a record number of LGBTQ Members, the Democratic House is continuing that fight for justice today. Introduced by Congressman David Cicilline, the House-passed Equality Act will extend the protections of the Civil Rights Act to LGBTQ Americans, barring discrimination in housing, education, employment and more. And under the leadership of President Biden, the Administration is reaffirming the fundamental dignity of every person – including by ending the shameful ban on transgender Servicemembers, confronting anti-LGBTQ human rights violations around the world and extending Title IX protections to LGBTQ students here at home.

"Following his first historic campaign for Supervisor, San Francisco's iconic Harvey Milk told his supporters: ‘I have tasted freedom. I will not give up that which I have tasted.' The promise of our Democracy will only be realized when every American can enjoy the freedom to reach their fulfillment, without fear of violence or persecution. As we celebrate 53 years of Pride, let us renew our resolve to fight alongside our LGBTQ friends, neighbors and loved ones until we finally achieve full equality for all."