Portland Maine News

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Vice-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, is celebrating Pride Month and renewing her commitment to uplifting the LGBTQ+ communities in Maine and across the country, cosponsoring numerous equality-focused bills. 

“We are fortunate to live in a place that protects the civil rights of our LGBTQ+ neighbors and stands together against bigotry. We have ensured that everyone in our state has equal access to housing, education, credit, employment, and public accommodations,” said Pingree. “But this is not the case in most states. As Vice-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I am proud to support legislation that works toward the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and well-being for all regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or sex characteristics. I wish all those celebrating today in Portland and across Maine a happy and joyous Pride!”

In the 118th Congress, Pingree pledged to support the following bills again when they’re reintroduced:
Equality Act (Rep. Takano)
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other existing laws to ensure LGBTQ+ people are included in the same explicit protections as other marginalized groups against discrimination in access to public accommodations, education, employment, housing, jury duty, federally-funded programs, and credit.
Greater Leadership Overseas for the Benefit for Global Equality (Rep. Titus)
Codifies the LGBTI Special Envoy position, requires the State Department to document cases of human rights abuses and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, institute sanctions against foreign individuals responsible for those human rights abuses, and ensures fair access to asylum and refugee programs for LGBTQ+ people.
Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act (Rep. Lieu)
Establishes under the law that practices which falsely claim to change sexual orientation or gender identity are fraudulent.
Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act (Rep. Balint)
Modernizes the tax code by removing gendered terms, such as “husband and wife,” and replacing them with gender neutral terms like “married couple.” 

International Human Rights Defense Act (Rep. Garcia)
Requires the State Department to prevent and respond to discrimination, devises a global strategy to address discrimination, coordinates with local advocacy groups and governments, and creates the permanent position of Special Envoy on the Human Rights of LGBT People.
Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act (Rep. Bonamici)
Includes LGBTQ+ older adults as a population with the greatest economic and social needs under the OAA, permanently establishes the National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, requires the Assistant Secretary of Aging to oversee data collection for LGBTQ+ adults, requires the long term care ombudsman to collect and analyze data regarding LGBTQ+ discrimination, and prioritize grants for organizations working to improve LGBTQ+ health, long term care, and access to culturally responsive services.
LGBT Data Inclusion Act (Rep. Grijalva)
Requires the collection of voluntary, self-disclosed information on sexual orientation and gender identity in certain federal surveys, including the Census.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) (Rep. Lee)
Encourages healthcare providers to offer culturally and clinically competent care to the LGBTQ+ community, schools to support the creation of gay-straight alliances, individuals to learn about natural resources for those who identify as LGBTQ+, funding organizations, aid efforts, and governments to prioritize the health and human rights of the LGBTQ+ population. 

Original source can be found here