Alan Lowenthal: “Thank you, Congressman. It is an honor to be here. It is an honor to work with you on LGBT issues and all issues before…”

“Thank you, Congressman. It is an honor to be here. It is an honor to work with you on LGBT issues and all issues before the Congress, but as you point out, this is a historic time that we are living through. This month, as you point out, marks LGBT Pride Month, a time for all of us to come together and remember the struggles for inclusion and the steps we are taking together to promote equality today, tomorrow, and generations to come. Also, as you pointed out, it marks the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York. The riots in June of 1969 were a turning point for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and also for all its allies, friends, and family. This is a moment when the community came together and stood up and said no--no to intolerance, no to homophobia, and no to homophobic public policies. {time} 1745 So much has changed since that night at the Stonewall Inn. Today, the egregious Defense of Marriage Act has been overturned by the United States Supreme Court, and marriage equality has come to 20 States, including my home State of California. I am pleased to say two weekends ago I had the honor of being an affiant in the marriage of a loving couple of the LGBT community. The momentum for marriage equality is continuing, and we are living through a time when change is before us.…”