LGBTQ Rights
A major part of being a Representative to the people of Arizona’s Third District is working to ensure that all of my constituents, regardless of their backgrounds, are treated equally and with the dignity and respect they deserve. LGBTQ Americans continue to face large obstacles in this respect, whether it be executive orders that ban transgender persons from serving our country in the military, or horrific acts of targeted violence against members of the LGBTQ community, as we saw in Orlando with the Pulse Nightclub shooting.
Despite this, time and time again we have witnessed the resiliency of the LGBTQ community to overcome the social and institutional discrimination they face in order to enact meaningful change. Thanks to their advocacy and activism, our courts finally recognize what we have known all along: that love is love. As the fight for equality marches on, I will continue to work in Congress to create laws and policies that respect each other’s humanity, and fosters an environment of inclusion for all Americans, including our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.
More on LGBTQ Rights
WASHINGTON— Today the House of Representatives passed the Equality Act, comprehensive legislation that extends anti-discrimination protections to members of the LGBTQ community. Currently, numerous LGBTQ individuals live in states with no anti-discrimination protections and are at risk of being denied employment, housing, and services for their identity. Rep. Raúl M.
WASHINGTON— Today, President Joe Biden rescinded Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. In response, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva issued the following statement:
TUCSON— Today, in a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to LGBTQ individuals, making it illegal for employers to fire an individual based off their sexual orientation or gender identity. In response, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva issued the following statement:
WASHINGTON— Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.-03) along with U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), led a bicameral group of almost 100 colleagues in urging U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to fulfill HHS’ commitment to its Healthy People 2020 objectives by collecting data on sexual orientation and gender identity during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
WASHINGTON— Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) reintroduced the LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act. The bill would require federal surveys to include data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity on a voluntary basis, which would ensure lawmakers and agencies have robust information to adequately address LGBTQ issues.
WASHINGTON— Today, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 124, a resolution that rejected President Trump’s discriminatory ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military. After voting in favor of the resolution, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva issued the following statement: