Today, HRC announced that Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness will join the organization and hundreds of LGBTQ members and volunteers on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and encourage support for issues critical to the LGBTQ community -- including calling for the U.S. Senate to pass the Equality Act to opposing the Trump-Pence administration’s discriminatory ban on transgender servicemembers.

 

 

 

 

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Skating my gawgeous self down to Washington DC to advocate with @humanrightscampaign ⛸⛸In other news now that fall winter hours are back at the rink prepare for a lot of skating content �� @eliothalverson #jvnskates #hrconthehill

A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) on Sep 26, 2019 at 8:55am PDT

“As the Trump-Pence administration continues its attacks on the LGBTQ community, it’s more important than ever for members of Congress -- from both parties -- to stand up for their LGBTQ constituents,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “The Human Rights Campaign’s fall Lobby Day provides a critical opportunity for our grassroots army of volunteers to make the case for pro-equality policies and legislation directly to the leaders who represent them in Congress. We are grateful to the nearly 76 participants who will make their voices heard, and to the lawmakers who continue to fight for the rights of their LGBTQ constituents.”

Participants will hold 124 meetings with Congressional offices to discuss issues critical to the LGBTQ community, including, but not limited to:

• Calling the U.S. Senate to the pass the Equality Act, bipartisan legislation that would add clear, comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people to our nation’s civil rights laws. 
• Opposing the Trump-Pence administration’s attempts to enact a discriminatory ban on transgender military servicemembers.
• Support the PrEP Access and Coverage Act to expand the access to and affordability of PrEP to prevent transmission of HIV.
• Supporting the FAMILY Act to ensure paid family and medical leave.
• Supporting the Voting Rights Advancement Act to reauthorize a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Jonathan Van Ness will also join HRC volunteers and members on Capitol Hill today. Van Ness, who is non-binary, is best known for his role on Netflix’s Queer Eye. His recently released memoir Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love, provides a powerful look into Van Ness’ journey to embrace self-love and acceptance. 

HRC’s Lobby Day is a critical cornerstone of the organization’s federal advocacy efforts in Washington. HRC’s staff work throughout the year to win support for pro-LGBTQ legislation, at all levels of government. This work is complemented by the HRC members and volunteers who were able to talk to and influence their representatives, both on Lobby Day and throughout the year. This critical constituent feedback can help convince members of Congress to take a powerful stance on LGBTQ issues, and advocate for their constituents.

Team Ohio joined #HRCOnTheHill to meet with @SenRobPortman and urge him to support the #EqualityAct alongside @SenSherrodBrown. He cannot remain silent while millions of LGBTQ Americans lack life-saving protections. pic.twitter.com/vdj4R1WFv2

— HRC in Ohio (@HRC_OH) September 26, 2019

Thank you @tinasmithmn for taking time to meet with us today and for being such a great supporter of #equalityforall #hrconthehill @hrctwincities @hrc pic.twitter.com/hI7qtLO6zd

— Dennis Jolley (@dsjolley) September 26, 2019

Look what I found while lobbying for @HRC ... Representative Susan Davis from California displaying both the pride and transgender flags at her office door. Got a love it! #HRCOnTheHill pic.twitter.com/aYlaHivJqq

— Marc Gofstein (@MarcGofstein) September 26, 2019