Gottheimer delivers speech in support of LGBTQ+ equality on the House floor
Highlights efforts to safeguard marriage equality, stop anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, and protect LGBTQ+ elders
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) recently delivered a speech in support of LGBTQ+ equality as part of the Equality Caucus’s Pride Month Special Order.
Gottheimer, a member of the Equality Caucus, highlighted his record in Congress advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and his work to stop anti-LGBTQ+ extremists.
“LGBTQ+ rights are personal for me, and so many other Americans across the country. For the sake of our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and friends, we can’t — and won’t — let extremists roll back the clock on progress,” Gottheimer said. “Let’s never forget the words at the heart of our country, found in the Declaration of Independence: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’ The best way that we can forward the Founders’ vision is by standing for LGBTQ+ equality.”
Gottheimer’s work to advance LGBTQ+ equality includes:
- Helping pass the bipartisan, bicameral Respect for Marriage Act, which enshrines marriage equality into federal law.
- Co-sponsoring the Equality Act, which outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Gottheimer helped pass the Equality Act through the House in both the 116th and 117th Congresses.
- Introducing the Elder Pride Protection Act, which stops the runaway abuse against LGBTQ+ seniors.
Standing up for LGBTQ+ rights is more critical than ever. So far this year, the ACLU has tracked 515 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in America’s state legislatures, Gottheimer said.
