Press Releases
September 15, 2022
The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus released the following statement following the announcement that the Senate will delay consideration of H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act, until after the election.
September 7, 2022
The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus condemns today’s discriminatory ruling in Braidwood Management v. Becerra that an Affordable Care Act requirement that employers provide coverage for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication violates the religious rights of employers. LGBTQ+ people have been disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic and PrEP is a critical tool in the fight against the disease.
September 2, 2022
"Following the Biden Administration’s request today that Congress allocate $4.5 billion to address the monkeypox outbreak, the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is urging inclusion of this funding in the upcoming government funding legislation."
August 23, 2022
Today, Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Co-Chair Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Co-Chair Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) led 85 of their colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to send a formal request to Congress for supplemental funding to combat the spread of monkeypox. In their letter to the Administration, the Members stressed the need for additional resources to combat the outbreak and support our nation’s public health infrastructure.
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).