Efforts to target members of the LGBTQ community and their identities remain at hand across the country as this year’s Pride Month is underway.
More than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures this year, according to the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest gay rights organization. Transgender rights, in particular, face growing scrutiny from state and federal lawmakers as anti-trans issues emerge as a key messaging strategy for Republicans heading into the 2024 elections.
But that hasn’t stopped LGBTQ Americans from celebrating their identities and the progress that has been made – including those in Congress. There are more openly LGBTQ lawmakers in the 118th Congress than ever before, two senators and 10 House lawmakers identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual.
From pro-LGBTQ legislation to playlists, here’s how members of Congress are celebrating Pride Month.
Bills boosting LGBTQ rights
Some lawmakers are celebrating Pride by continuing to do what they do best: introducing legislation.
The Pride in Mental Health Act was introduced earlier this month by three openly LGBTQ Democrats in Congress: Reps. Eric Sorensen, Ill.; Sharice Davids, Kan., and Ritchie Torres, N.Y. The bill would increase mental health support for LGBTQ youth, commission a report on the mental health and care of LGBTQ youth in social services programs and direct the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to review and update its resources for LGBTQ communities.
Another bill introduced earlier this month, the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act, would require federal surveys to include voluntary data collection on sexual orientation, gender identity and variations in sex characteristics. That would ensure lawmakers and federal agencies have the comprehensive data needed to address LGBTQ issues, according to the bill’s sponsors in both chambers, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., and Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, D-Ariz.
LGBTQ bops
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., dropped his inaugural Pride Playlist to mark the month’s festivities.
The 20-song playlist includes a mix of classic throwback hits like Britney Spears’ 2003 “Toxic,” Beyonce’s “Check On It,” and Miley Cyrus’s 2009 “Party in the U.S.A.,” plus more recent bops, including Doja Cat and SZA’s “Kiss me More,” Lizzo’s “Boys” and Dua Lipa’s “Levitating.”
Garcia, who is gay, also included songs by artists iconized by the LGBTQ community, like drag queen RuPaul Charles’ “Glamazon” and Australian singer Kylie Minogue’s “Padam Padam.”
“’Padam Padam’ is a gay bop, so that was easy for me,” Garcia said, according to The Hill.
Floor speeches
Garcia earlier this month also gave a speech on the House floor honoring RuPaul, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“An artist, a philanthropist and a barrier breaker, RuPaul Charles has become an American phenomenon and an icon,” Garcia said.
Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., also made a speech on the House floor this month in support of LGBTQ Americans.
“Pride is a time to celebrate our differences and the diversity that helps make our country great. It’s a time to mark the progress that we’ve made. And it’s a time to rededicate ourselves to be unfinished work to achieve freedom and equality for all,” Pappas, who is gay, said.
“No one chooses to be LGBTQ. But America can choose to continue to have an open mind and an open heart and a commitment to a future that includes everyone, regardless of who we are or whom we love,” he added.
Statements of support
The Congressional Equality Caucus, made up of 194 House members and led by nine LGBTQ lawmakers, released several statements urging support for LGBTQ communities amid mounting legislation aimed at the groups.
“Pride is a time to celebrate the LGBTQI+ community and recommit to fighting for LGBTQI+ rights,” said Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., chair of the caucus. “Pride 2023, however, is occurring at a perilous time for equality…The Equality Caucus will not stop fighting against these attacks and for explicit protections from discrimination for our community so that every Pride Month can be a joyful one.”
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., also called Pride Month a “call to action.”
“We must continue to stand up and speak out as extreme MAGA Republicans across the country launch dangerous attacks on the LGBTQI+ community and attempt to roll back progress,” he said, adding that House Democrats will reintroduce the Equality Act later this month.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared a short video on Twitter highlighting LGBTQ House Democrats and thanking them for their “commitment to fighting hate and uplifting equality.” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, did not release a statement.
