Congressional Equality Caucus Releases Report On The State Of LGBTQ+ Rights In The US
December 19, 2022The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus has released its inaugural report on the conditions of LGBTQ+ people in the United States.
The report was led by Caucus Chairman Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) with the intent “to educate the public about the significant disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ people and to serve as a yardstick by which the country can measure its progress in relation to LGBTQ+ rights in the coming years,” reads a press release.
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The report examines LGBTQ+ people in the areas of education, economic security, healthcare, and housing. Not surprisingly, LGBTQ+ people face disproportionate challenges in every single area, according to US Today.
For example, she highlights a GLSEN survey that found that 74.2% of K-12 transgender students said they felt unsafe at school because of their gender, and 76.1% of LGBTQ+ students who personally attended part of the school during 2021. During the 2022 school year, they were verbally harassed because of their LGBTQ+ identity.
It also cites a 2020 survey by the Trevor Project, which found that 28% of LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 13 and 24 were homeless or experiencing home insecurity.
“LGBTQ+ people deserve the same opportunities to thrive as their non-LGBTQ+ peers,” Representative Cicilline said in a statement announcing the report. “However, the data presented in this report shows that the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals differ greatly from those of our straight and cisgender neighbors.”
“With increasing violence against the LGBTQ+ community and the growing number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills being introduced in state legislatures and Congress, it is especially important that all levels of government work to ensure real equality for LGBTQ+ people.”
“This also includes the final passage of the Equality Act to ensure comprehensive explicit non-discrimination protection for LGBTQ+ people. Our ability to succeed in this country should not be limited based on our sexual orientation or gender identity. The fight for equality in this country will not end until we address all of these differences and bring real justice to the LGBTQ+ community.”
The report also concludes by listing Congressional actions the Equality Caucus – and the broader House – have taken to advance LGBTQ+ equality. Including passing the Respect for Marriage Act, which has just been signed, as well as passing legislation designating Pulse Nightclub as a national memorial.
The report also touted the role of the Equality Caucus in providing feedback to the Biden administration on two proposed rules clarifying protections against discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in education and healthcare.
It was also mentioned members of the Equality Caucus filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court case 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, a major civil rights case that could constrain states attempting to ban discrimination against LGBTQ+.
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