WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, released the following statement on June 1 in recognition of Pride Month 2021.

“I am proud to stand as an ally today, this Pride Month, and every day, as we celebrate the hard-fought wins for LGBTQIA+ equality and pay tribute to those who sacrificed so much to make progress.

“In the 1980s, as a member of the New York City Council, I authored the City’s first bill in New York State history to legally recognize same sex couples. I was initially told the bill was unconstitutional and could not be printed, I persevered. Today, we know that what was unconstitutional was denying the fundamental right to marriage to millions of Americans. And while we’ve come a long way since then, the LGBTQIA+ community still faces unacceptable daily harassment, violence, and unequal treatment.

“This year marks 52 years since the Stonewall Uprising, and as a New Yorker, I am immensely proud and forever grateful to those who took a stand at the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. Their actions, led by Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, sparked a turning point in the gay rights movement, and yet a half-century later, we still have work to do. The Senate must pass the Equality Act, and both the House and Senate need to pass the Resolution Calling to End Homophobia and Transphobia, the Armed Forces Transgender Dependent Protection Act, and the Global Respect Act.

“We all need to work together to defeat the spate of anti-transgender bills that are being proposed in local governments all across the country – greatly endangering trans youth and their mental health, and we need to address the bigotry and hatred that is leading to and encouraging the murder of Black trans women.

“Every American must feel free and protected to live their truth.

“On this first day of Pride, I proudly remain a committed ally and promise to never stop fighting until all members of the LGBTQIA+ community can live not only without fear of discrimination, but fully embraced as an integral part of our communities.”