Pride: A call to action and celebration

For me, Pride is a time of celebration and a call to action: to recognize how far we've come, and to ask ourselves what we can do to be better allies to the full rainbow of our loved ones and neighbors in the entire LGBTQ+ community.

My dear friends at Portland Pride couldn't put it any better:

The goal of everything we do is to uplift and move our community forward. Building community, working together, and fostering connections....

Right now, we have extra work to do to deliver on the promise of Pride to everyone. Too many members of the LGBTQ+ community, even kids, find their lives and very existences under constant attack – far too often by people in power. Pride is a chance to wrap each and every member of our community in love and say: we value you for who you are, no matter what hateful or ignorant people may say.

And, as a U.S. Senator, it is also my duty and my privilege to stand up for every Oregonian, for every American — no matter who you love or who you are — so your right to equality and opportunity are fully realized.

In the Senate, I continue to press forward for passage of the Equality Act, so it's written into federal law that no one is denied service, housing, or a job because they're LGBTQ+.

I will always fight to protect the lives of our LGBTQ+ community, to expand opportunities for equity and equality, and be the absolute best ally I can be in both public service and private support.

Happy Pride. 🏳️‍🌈

Jeff