Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and New Hampshire's first openly gay member of Congress issued the following statement to mark the start of Pride Month tomorrow:
"Pride is an opportunity for all of us to come together in community and celebrate the importance of living as our full authentic selves. As a gay person growing up in New Hampshire, I wasn't always sure there would be a place for me. But my community welcomed me for who I am, and I could not be more proud to serve them in Congress and continue the fight for equality for LGBTQ+ individuals in New Hampshire and across the country."
"No one should be a second-class citizen in the United States. But our LGBTQ+ family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues don't have the same legal protections guaranteed to others. And across our country, LGBTQ+ people continue to be the target of hateful legislation that would do lasting harm to our kids, families, and communities. We must stand against these attacks and pass the Equality Act so LGBTQ+ Americans cannot be discriminated against. Enshrining equality into the law is critical considering the Supreme Court is on the verge of overturning a landmark precedent and diminishing the right to privacy."
"In light of these challenges, I want to say to every member of the LGBTQ+ community who may find themselves wondering what the future holds for them: you are seen, you are supported, and you deserve the chance to be yourself. When we work to create a positive environment that respects everyone and brings people of diverse backgrounds together, we all win. So be proud of who you are. That is how we will continue to change this world for the better."
Background:
Pappas is an original co-sponsor of and helped to pass the Equality Act in the House. The Equality Act prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system. Specifically, the bill defines and includes sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation.
Pappas also leads the Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act with Senator Edward Markey (MA), which would ban the use of "gay panic" and "trans panic" defenses in federal court. The bill would curtail the availability of gay and trans panic defenses that defendants use to blame victims for the violence committed against them, a step that many in the LGBTQ+ and legal communities have been urging for years.
Pappas has introduced legislation to support LGBTQ+ veterans, including the SERVE Act which would guarantee and protect VA benefits for LGBTQ+ veterans discharged from the Armed Forces due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This legislation takes critical steps to ensure LGBTQ+ veterans who received an Other Than Honorable (OTH) or Entry-Level Separation (ELS) discharge solely due to their sexual orientation or gender identity are afforded the VA benefits they rightfully earned after serving their country. This includes veterans who were issued blue discharges during World War Two, and veterans discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) or the Trump Administration's discriminatory ban on transgender servicemembers.
Pappas also leads legislation that would establish the LGBTQ Veterans Advisory Committee at VA and has helped introduce legislation that would amend the VA's definition of "minority group member" to explicitly include lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender veterans. These bills would help direct VA resources towards the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ veterans who have historically faced challenges accessing the health care and benefits they have earned due to the impact of discriminatory policies such as ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'
Pappas has repeatedly called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reassess an outdated and discriminatory policy that blocks members of the LGBTQ+ community from donating blood and put in place policies governing blood and blood product donation that are grounded in science and based on individual risk factors that do not unfairly single out any group of individuals so that all those who can safely donate can do so.
In the 116th Congress, Pappas helped introduce the Put Patients First Act, which would have blocked a Trump-Pence Administration rule that permitted discrimination in health care by allowing personal beliefs to dictate treatment and care. This legislation will affirm a lower court's decision to block that rule and further safeguard the health care received by all Americans.
In 2018, Pappas made history as the first openly gay person elected to represent New Hampshire in Congress.
Throughout Pride month, Pappas and his staff will join events to raise awareness and amplify LGBTQ+ voices.
Sign up for Rep. Pappas's email newsletter here to learn more about upcoming events: https://pappas.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe.
Original source can be found here.
