June 19, 2014

Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District released the following statement recognizing June as LGBT Pride Month:

“This month we recognize the many contributions of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) friends and family who enrich our lives every day. They are our sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. During LGBTQ Pride Month we have much to celebrate. Less than a year following the landmark Supreme Court decisions striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8, we are seeing great strides for marriage equality made across the country, with state ban after state ban falling by the wayside. Nevada LGBTQ families will have their day in court this Fall. I am confident that we will see an end to the discriminatory policy that is currently in our state constitution. 

“In Washington, I have been working to ensure that the end of DOMA means a realization of full access to federal benefits for all married couples. Obstacles remain for many, including gay and lesbian families right here in Nevada. Military and veteran same-sex couples continue to face barriers in accessing their earned benefits. That is why I introduced legislation to remove the current discriminatory language found in federal statute that defines a veteran’s “spouse” as “…a person of the opposite sex.” Meanwhile I have called on the VA to allow legally married same-sex couples to be buried in both federal and state VA cemeteries. The brave men and women who wear or have worn the uniform of the United States should not face obstacles accessing the benefits they earned defending our freedoms. 

“I have also called on President Obama to prohibit LGBT discrimination by those who do business with the federal government. I appreciate that he took action on June 16 to protect their rights by pursuing an executive order to prohibit federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, I have joined colleagues to ensure legally-married same-sex couples can access their Social Security benefits regardless of where they live.
“I will continue to stand as an ally to the LGBTQ community as we fight for equality in all aspects of life.”