Press Releases
August 19, 2022
Today, Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chair Rep. David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) filed an amicus brief to defend nondiscrimination laws in the upcoming Supreme Court case, 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis. The brief was joined by 123 Representatives—including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and all of the Equality Caucus Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs—and 14 Senators.
August 4, 2022
The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus condemns the unjust sentencing of American citizen Brittney Griner, who has been wrongfully detained in Russia. The Equality Caucus previously endorsed H.Res. 1132, a resolution adopted by the House of Representatives calling for Griner’s immediate release, and has continuously advocated for her release.
August 4, 2022
Today, the Biden Administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency. Two weeks ago, Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01), and members of the Equality Caucus joined with their House colleagues in calling for the Biden Administration to declare monkeypox a public health emergency. This action gives the Administration access to additional tools and powers to address the outbreak and spread of the monkeypox virus.
July 25, 2022
The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus today applauded the Department of Health and Human Service’s proposed changes to strengthen protections under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
July 19, 2022
Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chair, David N. Cicilline (RI-01), today delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of H.R. 8404 which repeals the Defense of Marriage Act and ensures critical protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.
July 19, 2022
Today, by a bipartisan vote of 267 - 157 the House of Representatives passed H.R. 8404, the “Respect for Marriage Act,” to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure critical protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. The Respect for Marriage Act was co-led by every openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress; House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10); Tri-Caucus Chairs Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), and Judy Chu (D-CA); and Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
July 19, 2022
Today, Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chair, David N. Cicilline (RI-01), spoke at the House Democratic Caucus leadership press conference urging his colleagues to vote for the Respect for Marriage Act to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure critical protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.
July 18, 2022
The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus applauds the introduction of H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act. Every openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress joined House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10) — as well as Tri-Caucus Chairs Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), and Judy Chu (D-CA), and Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) — in introducing the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure critical protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.
June 24, 2022
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Equality Caucus condemns the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
June 23, 2022
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House passed H.R. 4176, the “LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act” by a bipartisan vote of 220-201. The LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act, introduced by Rep. Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), would require federal surveys to collect voluntary information on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics. This requirement can be waived by the head of a statistical unit of an agency if the information collected relating to the sexual orientation, gender identity, or variation in sex characteristics cannot be maintained in accordance with confidentiality and privacy laws, policies, and standards.