Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) backed several legislative efforts this week to end discrimination and provide equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

“Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is simply unacceptable,” DelBene said. “I believe all Americans have the right to be treated equally, but there is still much to do to make this a reality for LGBT Americans, which is why I support efforts to protect children and prevent businesses from discriminating against customers who don’t share their beliefs.”

DelBene helped introduce the Stop Harming Our Kids (SHOK) Resolution, which encourages states to protect minors from efforts that promise to change sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, also known as conversion therapy. The medical and mental health communities have said conversion therapy doesn’t work and instead increases the likelihood that children attempt suicide or experience depression.

The Congresswoman also signed a letter to governors of states that have bills pending in their state legislatures to allow businesses to deny service to individuals based on who they are and who they love. DelBene opposes discriminatory religious freedom bills, such as the one recently passed by Indiana’s legislature. The governors of Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas received the letter, which pointed out the injustice and economic disadvantages of such laws.

The other efforts DelBene joined this week to advance LGBT equality include:

• The Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act, which extends the full range of VA benefits to married same-sex couples residing in states that do not recognize marriage equality;
• The Equality for All Resolution, which states discrimination faced by the LGBT community is unacceptable and reaffirms Congress’s commitment to ensuring true equality for all Americans; and
• The National Day of Silence Resolution, which supports the thousands of kids who observe a day of silence on April 17th to bring attention to the bullying, harassment and discrimination faced by their LGBT friends and classmates.

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