Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I rise to mark the start of LGBT Pride Month with reflections on the recent International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia--IDAHOBIT. For more than 50 years, Pride Month has been a reminder that, despite recent progress, every day, millions of people around the world face social stigmatization, legal prosecution, and even violence based on their sexual orientation or because of their gender identity. COVID-19 is necessitating adjustments to how this month is celebrated, with organizers moving large-scale parades from the streets of towns and cities to the internet, where a 24-hour online Global Pride celebration is planned for later this month. Two short weeks ago was the annual commemoration of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia--IDAHOBIT. Started on May 17, 2004, IDAHOBIT was established by LGBTQ activists in 2004 to commemorate the World Health Organization's historic decision in 1990 to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases. As in the United States, despite the progress we have made since 1990, around the world, homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia continue to flourish in many parts of the world. The theme of this year's International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was ``Breaking the Silence.'' Millions of LGBTQ individuals around the world continue to be forced to hide their identities because of who they are or whom they love.…”