Openly-LGBTQI+ Representatives & House Democratic Leadership Celebrate Pride Month 2026
CEC Chair Rep. Mark Takano: “Pride Month is more than rainbows and parades, it is a protest—a demand for fairness, dignity, and equality under the law”
WASHINGTON, DC — In recognition of Pride Month, the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Equality Caucus and the leadership of the House Democratic Caucus released the following statements:
“Pride Month is more than rainbows and parades, it is a protest—a demand for fairness, dignity, and equality under the law,” said Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and lead sponsor of the Equality Act. “As Trump and the Republican Party continue to wage their war of bigotry and hate against our community, targeting our most vulnerable members and undermining our equality, the Congressional Equality Caucus is leading the fight to oppose their attacks. I am humbled and immensely proud to have the honor of leading this coalition with my fellow openly-LGBTQI+ Representatives as we fight to protect and secure the rights of every person to live and to love openly and authentically.”
“During Pride Month, we celebrate the strength, courage and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community while reaffirming our commitment to strengthening protections and advancing equality for every American,” said Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08). “Everyone deserves to live free from hate, discrimination and fear. This month and every month, House Democrats are committed to doing everything that we can to protect and defend the LGBTQ+ community as Republicans try to turn back the clock on progress. I am proud to fight alongside the Congressional Equality Caucus to ensure that America lives up to its promise of liberty and justice for all.”
"Pride is both a celebration and a call to action,” said Democratic Whip Rep. Katherine Clark (MA-05). “I'm proud to stand with the Equality Caucus in commemorating the strength and resilience of those LGBTQ+ icons who blazed the trail while redoubling our fight against those who want to drag us backward. Democrats' mission is simple: we're fighting for the freedom of all people, the dignity of every American, and a future worthy of all our children."
“This Pride Month, we honor the history, strength and invaluable contributions of the LGBTQI+ community,” said House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33). “While progress has been made, the fight for equality is far from over. Donald Trump and Republicans continue to target the LGBTQI+ community by attacking their fundamental rights and spreading divisive rhetoric. House Democrats remain committed to fighting for equality, respect and opportunity for all, and I’m proud to be in this fight with my colleagues in the Congressional Equality Caucus.”
“Pride is a time to celebrate the LGBTQI+ community’s strength, joy, and perseverance in the face of oppression,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “While Trump has targeted our community, especially our transgender siblings, with anti-equality rhetoric and policies that seek to undermine our rights, we will not give up. In honoring the spirit of Pride, I’m grateful to help co-lead the Equality Caucus by fighting every day to defend against these attacks and to advance LGBTQI+ equality here in Congress.”
“Pride month is a time to celebrate the resilience, vibrance and contributions of the LGBTQI+ community in Minnesota and across our country,” said Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “But this Pride Month, as we honor the progress we’ve made, we must also recognize that the fight for equality is far from over. As a Co-Chair of the Equality Caucus, I’m proud to stand with my colleagues against all forms of hate and discrimination as we continue the fight for progress.”
“Pride Month is a celebration of the resilience, joy, and strength of LGBTQI+ Americans — and a reminder that the fight for equality is far from over,” said Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “As extremist politicians try to roll back hard-fought freedoms, we must keep standing up for every person’s right to live openly, safely, and authentically. I’m proud to represent LGBTQI+ Kansans in Congress and will keep fighting to ensure everyone has the freedom and opportunity to thrive.”
“Pride month marks the hard-fought progress that we've achieved as a community and brings people together in support of full equality and a future where everyone can live as their authentic selves,” said Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “We must confront hate and intolerance and keep marching forward to ensure all Americans have the same freedoms, rights, and responsibilities.”
“As a child of the Bronx who grew up in public housing, I was petrified to come out of the closet in my youth,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Now, as the first openly LGBTQ+ Afro-Latino Member of Congress, I feel the weight of history on my shoulders. I know firsthand the discrimination members of the LGBTQ+ community face and am determined to make a positive change for my community. This Pride, I am thinking about how we are both so close and yet so far to realizing the full vision of equality in America. It's crucial that we aggressively combat LGBTQ+ discrimination with federal action. Millions of Americans still live in fear of losing their jobs, homes, or livelihoods because of who they are and whom they love. Happy Pride. Let's never give up on the fight.”
“I am motivated and energized by incredible queer activists and politicians who came before me, like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, Harvey Milk and Barney Frank, who remind me that small, daily acts of bravery can grow into a lasting movement for equality,” said Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “This Pride Month, I want everyone in the queer community to find an opportunity to celebrate their courage and their strength. As the first openly queer Vermonter in Congress, I will continue to bring both joy and ferocity to my work defending the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.”
“This Pride Month, I’m thinking about every LGBTQ+ kid who deserves to grow up seeing that there’s a place for them in this country, and that there are people willing to fight for them,” said Rep. Robert Garcia (CA-42), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “As the first LGBTQ+ immigrant elected to Congress, I carry that responsibility every single day. I’m proud to stand with our community this month and we will keep advocating so every LGBTQ+ American can live openly, safely, and proudly.”
“Pride Month is a celebration of courage, community, and the freedom to live openly and authentically. As the first openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress from Illinois, I know how important representation and visibility can be for people who just want to feel seen, valued, and safe,” said Rep. Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “While we celebrate the progress we’ve made, we also recognize the work still ahead to protect the rights and dignity of every LGBTQ+ American. I’ll keep fighting for a country where everyone can live with pride, equality, and opportunity.”
“This Pride Month, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community while recognizing that the fight for equality is far from over,” said Rep. Julie Johnson (TX-32), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “As the Trump Administration continues to enable attacks on LGBTQIA+ Americans across the country, I remain committed to defending our community and protecting fundamental rights and freedoms. Through comprehensive federal protections like the Equality Act, we are calling on Congress to finally deliver on the promise of equal rights under the law. As a member of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I will never back down from this fight.”
“Pride is a celebration of the LGBTQ community — and a reminder of the power we hold when we lead with compassion, courage, and authenticity,” said Rep. Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “This month, we honor the generations of LGBTQ Americans, including the example of those in Delaware, whose voices expanded freedom in our country, and recommit ourselves to the work still ahead. Even in the face of indignities, Pride shows us year after year that progress is driven by resilience and by people choosing hope over fear, solidarity over division, and love over hate. This month, and every month, we stand together — for dignity, for equality, and for a world where every person is free to thrive.”
"For the queer community, living our lives authentically has always been political. We’ve had to fight to dance in public, to get married, to have children, to work at our jobs free from discrimination,” said Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. "As the first openly queer Latina elected to Congress, I carry that legacy with pride—and with purpose. And our fight is far from over. From Republican controlled legislatures around the country to the Oval Office, our ability to live our lives and love who we love is under attack. We are under attack. But there was no past without us, and there sure as hell won’t be a future without us. The struggle for full equality continues—from the halls of Congress to communities across the country. I’m proud to be a leader in that fight as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. This Pride Month, let’s honor our history and our future, uplift our voices, and keep pushing forward. ¡Viva con Pride!"