Congressional Equality Caucus

🎉GOOD NEWS🎉 The House just DEFEATED a Republican-sponsored amendment that would have codified Trump's trans military ban into law! We're never going to give up the fight to protect our nation's transgender servicemembers.

In 2025, Vice Chair @scanlon.house.gov co-led the reintroduction of the Do No Harm Act to clarify how the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is supposed to be a shield to protect the free exercise of religion, not a sword to discriminate.

Every child deserves to go to school free from bullying, harassment, and discrimination—that's why CEC Vice Chair & founding member @replindasanchez.bsky.social leads the #SafeSchoolsImprovementAct to require local education agencies to have anti-bullying policies.

Vice Chair @salinas.house.gov knows how critical the 988 lifeline has been, including for young LGBTQI+ people in crisis. When Trump shut down specialized services for those youth, Rep. Salinas led the call to the House Appropriations Committee to ensure these services continued to be funded.

Vice Chair @raskin.house.gov serves as Ranking Member of @democrats-judiciary.house.gov, where he stands on the frontlines against some of House Republicans' cruelest & most unconstitutional attacks on our community. Our rights are safer & our community is better off because of Rep. Raskin's work!

Roughly 1.7% of all people have some sort of innate intersex variation of their hormones, chromosomes, or reproductive system. Intersex people should be free to make decisions about their own bodies, their own care, and their own stories. #IntesexAwarenessDay

A founding member of CEC's Trans Equality Task Force, Vice Chair @quigley.house.gov helped lead the opposition to a set of anti-trans rules proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services earlier this year. Our community is lucky to have a fighter like Rep. Quigley!

On the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Vice Chair @pingree.house.gov has helped lead the fight against the dozens of anti-LGBTQI+ riders Republicans added to government funding bills this Congress. Thanks to her steadfast allyship, we beat 40+ riders in FY26!

In 2024, Vice Chair @repscottpeters.bsky.social secured $1.5 million for a shelter serving young LGBTQI+ people. That money helped provide a safe place to sleep for countless young LGBTQI+ people experiencing homelessness, and Rep. Peters' leadership helped make it happen!

Since the Trump Administration ended the 988 lifeline's specialized services for LGBTQI+ youth in crisis, Vice Chair @congressmanraja.bsky.social has been fighting back. Thanks to Rep. Krishnamoorthi's work, those services have been restored!

Vice Chair @repmcgovern.bsky.social is a founding member of the Equality Caucus & serves as Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, where he consistently defends the rights of LGBTQI+ people from House Republicans’ attacks.

Conversion therapy is a harmful & disproven practice that harms countless young people. Vice Chair @reptedlieu.bsky.social leads the federal bill to explicitly classify this practice as fraud and helped lead 187 Members of Congress in urging SCOTUS to uphold states' bans on the cruel practice.

Vice Chair @jayapal.house.gov co-chairs the CEC’s Trans Equality Task Force & is a co-lead of H.R. 8582 which would nullify Trump’s expanded Global Gag Rules—including the trans global gag rule—to protect human rights and public health in foreign assistance.

Vice Chair @sarajacobs.house.gov co-chairs the CEC’s Trans Equality Task Force and has been a leader in the fight to undo Trump’s cruel trans troop ban and protect transgender peoples’ ability to serve in the military.

When the governor of Texas forced localities to rip up rainbow crosswalks installed across the state, CEC Vice Chair @repfletcher.bsky.social wasn’t afraid to call him out for what it was: an attempt to censor communities’ free speech and erase the LGBTQI+ community.

CEC Vice Chair @doggett.house.gov stands with the LGBTQI+ community in Congress and has fought to protect workplace equality, build up inclusive local communities, and fight back against disinformation. We’re so thankful to have him on our side in the fight for equality!

Last year, CEC Vice Chair @repdexteror.bsky.social went viral for holding a Pride flag on the floor of the House while opposing a GOP proposal to ban Pride flags at DoD facilities. When the LGBTQI+ community comes under attack, Rep. Dexter refuses to be silent—that’s real allyship.

Earlier this year, CEC Vice Chair @chu.house.gov RIPPED into a GOP bill in the Ways & Means Committee that would have protected the nonprofit status of organizations that discriminate against interracial & same-sex couples. Watch here:

As Chair of the LGBTQI+ Aging Issues Task Force, CEC Vice Chair @repbonamici.bsky.social is fighting to pass the Ruthie and Connie LGBTQI Elder Americans Act & the Elder Pride Act to protect the health, dignity, and rights of older LGBTQI+ Americans.

Last month, CEC Co-Chair @congressmanblair.bsky.social demanded answers from Sec. Hegseth over unpaid separation pay promised to trans servicemembers kicked out of the military by Trump. Rep. Blair is fighting for our nation's servicemembers!

In July, CEC Co-Chair @repemilyrandall.bsky.social co-led 113 Members of Congress in conducting oversight of OMB reportedly directing CDC not to renew $46 million in HIV funding for community-based organizations. Rep. Randall is fighting to make sure everyone can get the care they need!

CEC Chair @repmarktakano.bsky.social & @democrats-edworkforce.house.gov RM @bobbyscott.house.gov are conducting oversight of the EEOC's recent settlement that immunizes some businesses from all future investigations into certain illegal gender identity-based discrimination. Read more here:

When Trump banned trans people from getting passports with correct gender markers, CEC Co-Chair @repjuliejohnson.bsky.social led the call to demand the rescission of the cruel policy that put trans Americans traveling at risk.

CEC Co-Chair @mcbride.house.gov leads the bipartisan Global Respect Act to block visas of foreign persons responsible for violating LGBTQI+ peoples' human rights. The US used to lead the global fight for human rights before Trump. With Rep. McBride's bill, we can start to again.

Last year, CEC Co-Chair @repericsorensen.bsky.social co-led the introduction of the #FitToServeAct to undo Trump's trans military ban by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity in military service. Rep. Sorensen is a champion for ALL our nation's servicemembers.

As RM of @oversightdemocrats.bsky.social, CEC Co-Chair @robertgarcia.house.gov has fought tirelessly against Trump’s reckless attacks on PEPFAR, a program that has saved more than 26 million lives through HIV prevention & treatment. We’re so thankful to have a fighter like Rep. Garcia on our side!

A champion for trans rights, CEC Co-Chair @RepBeccaB led over 100 Members of Congress earlier this year in demanding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services abandon proposed anti-trans rules.

We are horrified at the news of a mass shooting plot targeting Indian Americans at a Hindu temple in Illinois by a white supremacist & self-proclaimed Neo Nazi. Thankfully, the plot was foiled, but this is a reminder of the work still ahead to eradicate hate-fueled violence.

When the Dept of the Interior censored the trans community from the Stonewall National Monument web page, CEC Co-Chair @repritchie.bsky.social demanded Sec. Burgum restore our community's history. Rep. Torres will keep fighting to protect the REAL story of Stonewall.

CEC Co-Chair @repchrispappas.bsky.social leads the SERVE Act to guarantee VA benefits to LGBTQ+ veterans who were separated from the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Thank you, Rep. Pappas, for fighting for our nation's veterans!

When Trump ended 988's specialized services for LGBTQI+ youth in crisis, CEC Co-Chair @davids.house.gov co-led the bipartisan bill to restore the critical program. Thanks in part to Rep. Davids' leadership, 988’s specialized services have been restored!

CEC Co-Chair @repangiecraig.bsky.social is a champion for families! Rep. Craig, who co-leads the John Lewis Every Child Deserves A Family Act, led the call to HHS Sec. Kennedy to protect LGBTQI+ kids in foster care after Trump rescinded regulations guaranteeing safe & affirming placements.

On the Appropriations Committee, CEC Co-Chair @pocan.house.gov has led the fight against the anti-LGBTQI+ riders Republicans have added to government funding bills in recent years. Thanks in part to his work, we defeated 40+ anti-LGBTQI+ riders in the FY26 government funding bills!

As CEC Chair & RM of @democrats-veterans.house.gov, @repmarktakano.bsky.social has been fighting for LGBTQI+ veterans impacted by Trump's cuts to the VA, decision to eliminate LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinators & restrictions on medical care. They fought for us, now Rep. Takano is fighting for them.

The Trump Administration's attacks on HIV & AIDS prevention, treatment, and research threatens the health & safety of millions of Latinos living with HIV or AIDS. We're proud to stand with @hispaniccaucus.bsky.social & the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus in fighting back against Trump's cuts.

#OTD in 1979, the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights was held in our nation’s capital with tens of thousands of LGBTQI+ people & allies taking to the street to demand full equality. We’re proud to continue the fight for equality here in Congress.

Everyone deserves accessible health care, and cuts from HR1 (Republicans’ Big Ugly budget Bill) are endangering Oregonians’ health care access and funding to places like CAP NW.

LGBTQI+ history IS American history. #LGBTQIHistoryMonth

Our Native and Indigenous siblings are an invaluable part of the LGBTQI+ community. As we fight for LGBTQI+ equality, we must also fight for the preservation & respect of their diverse histories & cultures. #IndigenousPeoplesDay

On this day in 1998, Matthew Shepard died after being brutally attacked in an anti-gay hate crime. In Matthew’s memory, we continue our fight to end anti-LGBTQI+ violence and build a future where no one lives in fear of violence just because of who they are or who they love.

As a caucus led by all 13 openly-LGBTQI+ U.S. Representatives, we know that coming out is a deeply personal moment that belongs to each LGBTQI+ person. Whether you’re out, still in the closet, or somewhere in between, we’ll always be here—fighting for YOU. #NationalComingOutDay

Even as LGBTQI+ Americans face pressure to hide themselves, our community refuses to go back in the closet. Together, we're going to keep working to build a world where no one feels they need to hide who they are or who they love.

In the 119th Congress, lesbian Members of Congress have been at the forefront in the fight for equality, as they also fight for an Affordable America and a government that serves the people. We couldn't be prouder to be co-led by every openly-lesbian U.S. Representative!

Reckless cuts & delays in funding for HIV research networks have some researchers worried their funding may be cut off by the Trump Admin, threatening the advancements we've made in the fight against HIV & AIDS. Trump's cuts are needlessly putting lives on the line.

Trump & Hegseth's repeated use of anti-trans slurs is further proof of this Administration's animus towards the trans community. They're proving again and again that all they care about is maximizing cruelty. REAL leaders don't need to use dehumanizing slurs in order to lead.

Trump's reckless policies are leading to LGBTQI+ asylum seekers being deported to countries where consensual same-sex sexual activity is criminalized or where human rights abuses are happening against LGBTQI+ people. These inhumane deportations are putting people in danger.

Never before have the Good Guys been the ones banning books or threatening funding for public libraries & schools over the inclusion of LGBTQI+ stories. We’ll never stop fighting against government censorship! #BannedBooksWeek

There has never been a world without LGBTQI+ people—and there never will be.

LGBTQI+ people have always been part of the American story—and we’re committed to making sure our stories are never forgotten. Our members will always fight to preserve our history and ensure future generations can learn from the people who helped shape our country.

Every student deserves to go to school without facing harassment or discrimination. But Trump's Ed Dept. are weakening those protections to normalize attacking LGBTQ+ students. Shameful. The WWE Secretary should resign if she's not going to protect ALL students.

October is LGBTQ+ History Month, a time to honor the courage, resilience, and impact of LGBTQ+ Americans who have helped make our country stronger. Let us honor the bravery of the heroes who came before us by continuing the fight for a more just and equal nation for the generations to come.