The Equality Caucus Statement on LGBTQ+ Provisions in Covid-19 Legislation
DATE: May 20, 2020
CONTACT: laura.brantley@mail.house.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Equality Caucus Statement on
LGBTQ+ Provisions in Covid-19 Legislation
Washington, D.C. – The Congressional LGBT+ Equality Caucus today expressed its support for the LGBTQ+ provisions that recently passed the House of Representatives in The Heroes Act. The final bill included key provisions of importance to the LGBTQ community that would: strengthen existing hate crimes practices, require a focus on LGBTQ youth in suicide prevention and clarify that covid-19 resources and services will be distributed in a non-discriminatory fashion. The Caucus urges the Senate to advance these provisions in any upcoming covid-19 bills.
"LGBTQ+ communities know all too well how stigma can devastate our communities during a global pandemic," said Caucus Co-Chair Rep. David N. Cicilline. "By including non-discrimination language in The Heroes Act for COVID-19 relief, the House is ensuring that we learn from mistakes made in the past and that the LGBTQ community is not denied life-saving medical care during this emergency."
"The LGBTQ+ community already suffers disproportionately from the lack of access to critical services and care, and this is only made worse by a pandemic," said Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Mark Takano. "After a hard fought effort, the Equality Caucus was successful in including non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Americans in The Heroes Act. No one should be denied services or healthcare because of their identity, especially not during a public health crisis. We need to make sure that the Senate listens to the needs of our community and keep fighting for these protections to be included in any final legislative package."
Please contact Shawn Gaylord at 202-257-8416 or shawn.gaylord@mail.house.gov with press inquiries.
Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality. The Caucus, which is led by the seven openly LGBTQ+ members of Congress, is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. and around the world.