As its first act of business after the election of Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House last week, the newly elected, Democrat-controlled US House of Representatives voted to ensure anti-discriminations protections for LGBT House employees and those the House works with.
The protections were put forth by Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline.
“Government at its best works for the benefit of all Americans, not just the powerful and privileged,” Cicilline said in a written statement. “Protecting the rights of LGBT employees is just the right thing to do.”
According to the Providence Journal, the protections came as part of a rules package that also established as law two other of Cicilline’s proposals: to “require members of the House to undergo annual ethics training [and] preclude them from serving on corporate boards.”
Cicilline, one of six openly gay co-chairs of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and former mayor of Providence, was also recently elected chairman of the Congressional committee on policy and communications by his Democratic peers in the House of Representatives in December.
“A few weeks ago, the American people put their trust in the Democratic Party when they gave us control of the U.S. House,” Cicilline stated in his announcement of his new role. “[Now in] January, the hard work begins to deliver on the promises we have made to create good-paying jobs, lower health care costs and end the corruption in Washington.”
“I am honored that my colleagues have put their trust in me to help lead our caucus ahead. I look forward to the work we have to do, and to ensuring that the voices of working Rhode Islanders are heard loud and clear in Washington,” Cicilline said.
The LGBT Equality Caucus serves as a resource for Members of Congress, their staff and the public on LGBT issues at the federal level. The Caucus works toward the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence and the improved health and well being for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.
