Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chair Cicilline Marks Transgender Awareness Week 2022

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, made the following speech on the House floor to mark Transgender Awareness Week, which is an annual campaign, observed from November 13-19, to raise the visibility of transgender people and address issues members of the community face.

"Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark Transgender Awareness Week.

In recent years, we've seen increased transgender visibility within our TV screens with Angelica Ross on Pose and American Horror Story, and Amy Schneider's success on Jeopardy, or in the federal government with the confirmation of Admiral Levine as the Assistant Secretary for Health.

Transgender people want and deserve the same thing we all want: to be treated with respect and to be equal members of our communities under our laws.

To the transgender community I am standing here on the floor of the House of Representatives today to tell you that you are valued, you are loved, and your stories matter.

Your identity should not just be affirmed but celebrated.

And as Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, we will never stop fighting for your ability to reach your full potential without fear of discrimination, violence, or stigmatization.

You deserve full equality. Nothing less.

And with that, I yield back."

Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is to promote equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Caucus, which is led by the nine openly LGBTQ+ members of the House of Representatives, is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. and around the world.

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