Joint CHC Chair and Member Statement Celebrating the Beginning of Pride Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

CHC Communications: Brian Garcia | brian.garcia3@mail.house.gov

Rep. Ritchie Torres: Jacob Long | jacob.long@mail.house.gov 

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Nanette Barragán issued a joint statement alongside Representative Ritche Torres (NY-15)in celebration of Pride Month.

“This PRIDE month, and every month, we honor the valuable contributions and history of LGBTQI+ people across America,” said Chair Barragán. “This is a time to celebrate diversity and promote respect & inclusivity for all individuals, regardless of who they love or their gender identity. PRIDE serves as a reminder of the progress made on the equality front, but it also highlights the challenges that persist. It encourages us to reflect on these struggles faced by the community, including social stigma, discrimination, and inequality. PRIDE inspires us to continue advocating for equal rights, acceptance, and understanding within society. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to creating an inclusive world where everyone feels welcome in being their authentic self. Happy PRIDE month to the LGBTQI+ community and everyone who celebrates.”

“As we enter the month of June, I’d like to wish a happy PRIDE Month to the LGBTQI+ community and all who observe and celebrate across the country,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres “It’s more important than ever that we remember PRIDE began as a protest led by activists like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera – two of my personal heroes – whose bravery and advocacy changed the world and paved the way for younger generations. But as much progress as we’ve made, it’s on all of us to continue their fight for equality today and stand up against countless extreme, bigoted, and hateful anti-LGBTQI+ pieces of legislation introduced at all levels of government that seek to attack and erase our very existence. Our people, history, stories, and culture – both past and present – unapologetically deserve to be seen and told fully, and as Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and the first openly LGBTQI+ Afro Latino elected to Congress, I’m committed to securing a future where all LGBTQI+ individuals are free to love who they love and live their authentic lives with full and equal protections and rights under the law.”

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