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
Rep. Grijalva Hails Passage of the Equality Act
February 25, 2021 Press Release
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.
Rep. Grijalva Statement on President Biden Ending Trump’s Transgender Troop Ban
January 25, 2021 Press Release
WASHINGTON— Today, President Joe Biden rescinded Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.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:
Rep. Grijalva Applauds Supreme Court LGBTQ Civil Rights Ruling
June 15, 2020 Press Release
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:
Rep. Grijalva and Sens. Menendez, Baldwin Lead Bicameral Push for the Trump Admin to Start Collecting Data on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity during the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 20, 2020 Press Release
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.
Rep. Grijalva Submits Testimony to Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Calls for Passage of LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act
February 27, 2020 Press ReleaseThis week, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva submitted testimony to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee calling for the passage of the LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act.
Rep. Grijalva Leads 40 Colleagues in Second Letter to Dept. of Homeland Security Demanding Investigation on ?Remain in Mexico’ Policy Toward LGBTQ Asylum Seekers
November 19, 2019 Press ReleaseToday, Representative Raúl M. Grijalva led 40 colleagues in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security condemning the agency’s policy toward returning vulnerable LGBTQ asylum seekers to dangerous conditions in Mexico while they await their asylum hearings.
Rep. Grijalva and Senator Baldwin Lead 100 Colleagues in Reintroducing the LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act
June 26, 2019 Press Release
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.
Rep. Grijalva Leads 45 Members of Congress Demanding Answers into the Impacts of the ?Remain in Mexico’ Policy on LGBTQ Asylum Seekers
June 3, 2019 Press ReleaseToday, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva led 45 Members of Congress in a letter to Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan demanding answers on the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols–also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy–and its adverse impacts on LGBTQ asylum seekers at the Southern border.
Rep. Grijalva Condemns Trump’s Discriminatory Trans Military Ban, Supports House Resolution
March 28, 2019 Press Release
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:
Rep. Grijalva Supports Full LGBT Equality, Cosponsors the Equality Act
March 13, 2019 Press ReleaseToday, House Democrats introduced H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which would extend federal non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ individuals.