June is Pride Month

June is Pride Month — a time to celebrate love, identity, and the courage of LGBTQ+ Americans who've fought to make sure this country lives up to its highest ideals. It's also a time to recommit to the work we still need to get done to ensure every one of our LGBTQ+ neighbors has the freedom and opportunity to live as their authentic selves.

In May, I teamed up with my colleagues, Senator Tammy Baldwin and Senator Cory Booker, to reintroduce the Equality Act. The Equality Act is bold, historic legislation to make comprehensive civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ Americans the law of the land. Equality should never depend on your zip code.

Despite the progress we've made, it's painfully clear: equal justice is still not a reality for everyone in America. The Trump Administration, MAGA Republicans, and right-wing state legislatures are escalating coordinated attacks on the rights, security, and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Americans in statehouses, courtrooms, and classrooms nationwide.

The Equality Act is about freedom. The freedom for everyone to fully participate in every aspect of life — the freedom to live openly, love who you love, and live as your authentic self without fear. Generations of Americans have marched, voted, organized, and raised their voices to fight for a vision of America as a free and equal nation for all.

By leading the Equality Act, I am fighting to expand freedom and open the doors of opportunity for everyone.

Back in 2007 as the Speaker of the Oregon House, I successfully led the fight to secure equality for Oregonians, and it is way past time for Congress to do the same for all LGBTQ+ Americans — no exceptions — by passing my Equality Act.

I will always fight to protect LGBTQ+ lives, break down barriers to opportunity and equality, and be a strong, vocal ally in public service and in solidarity.

Happy Pride Month!

Onward!

Jeff