More than 150 openly LGBTQ elected officials and newly elected officials from across the nation recently called on the incoming U.S. Congress to act on four key initiatives related to LGBTQ equality.
A letter was drafted after a closed-door convening of LGBTQ elected officials at LGBTQ Victory Institute's International LGBTQ Leaders Conference.
The conference is the largest convening of LGBTQ elected officials in the world, with more than 140 elected officials from 26 countries, as well as 400 other advocates and leaders.
The letter called on Congress to:
Pass The Equality Act to expand non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity;
Reduce HIV/AIDS by forming an advisory commission, advocating a "Getting to Zero" goal, and taking proactive measures to address disparities in communities of color;
Protect trans people from anti-trans Trump administration policies and other measures; and
Improve LGBTQ rights globally by supporting asylum claims and ensuring LGBTQ rights is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.
Officials from Illinois who signed the letter included state Rep.-elect Lamont Robinson; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Debra Shore; Cook County Board Commissioner Kevin Morrison; and Chicago Alds. Raymond Lopez, James Cappleman and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa.
The complete letter is at victoryinstitute.org/116congressletter/ .
Related: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/152-LGBTQ-Elected-Officials-Call-on-116th-Congress-to-Act-on-Four-Key-Initiatives-/64979.html .