50 years after Stonewall

Dear Friend,

On June 28, 1969, riots broke out in and around the Stonewall Inn in New York City in response to anti-LGBTQ law enforcement practices. Stonewall sparked a movement for equal rights that continues today. Fifty years later, the Stonewall Uprising continues to resonate across our nation. We must acknowledge that too many LGBTQ Americans continue to face discrimination, harassment, and violence just for living their lives.

I am proud of New Mexico's vibrant LGBTQ community and the progress we've made in the march for equality. We can't allow hatred and bigotry to thwart progress or turn back the clock. I am committed to standing with our LGBTQ peers and continue the fight for the fundamental American ideal that everyone is created equal and must be afforded the same protections under the law. We must remain particularly vigilant in standing up against the Trump administration's attempts to strip legal protections and opportunities away from transgender Americans.

I will also keep fighting to pass the Equality Act in the Senate. The Equality Act would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I welcomed the landmark House passage of the Equality Act earlier this year. The Senate needs to do the same right away.

Our LGBTQ peers deserve not only recognition, but also support for their steadfast advocacy and visible progress towards equal protection. We all have a role to play in keeping our homes, businesses, and communities welcoming to everyone. Every single American, no matter who they are or who they love, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

As we remember our history, I join New Mexico's diverse LGBTQ community in continuing to march forward to full equality and opportunity for all.