Equality Caucus Celebrates Leadership of Co-Chair Mondaire Jones
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the 117th Congress nears its end, the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is celebrating the leadership of Congressman Mondaire Jones (NY-17). Rep. Jones has served as Co-Chair of the Equality Caucus since 2021.
"Mondaire Jones made history as the first openly gay black man elected to Congress and during the past two years in Congress, has established himself as a thought leader and a strong advocate for civil rights, including for the LGBTQ+ community. From his work as the lead sponsor of the Juror Non-Discrimination Act to his success securing funding to support LGBTQ+ health in his district, Congressman Jones has been a tireless advocate for our community," said Equality Caucus Chair Cicilline. "I am grateful to have counted him as one of our Co-Chairs these past two years and to have seen up close—both through his work with the Caucus and on the House Committee on the Judiciary—his dedication to advancing equality for all. I am sure he will continue to do great work in in his future endeavors."
Congressman Jones is the first openly gay black man to be elected to Congress. During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Jones delivered $1.5 million in funding to create an LGBTQ+ health care center in his home district—the only such clinic in the entire Hudson Valley—in partnership with Rockland Pride and Montefiore Hospital. Additionally, his Juror Non-Discrimination Act, which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in jury selection, passed the House as part of the Equality Act last year. He also helped introduce the Protecting LGBTQ+ Youth Act and has helped lead efforts to expand access to PrEP.
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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