June 25, 2024

Merkley, Wyden Support Introduction of Resolution Recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced they joined their colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The resolution—authored by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)—highlights the contributions LGBTQ+ Americans have made to our country, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ+ Americans, and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality for all.

“Generations of Americans have marched, voted, organized, and raised their voices to move us toward a more perfect union where the doors of opportunity are open to all,” said Merkley, author of the Equality Act. “As attacks on LGBTQ+ Americans continue in the halls of Congress, state legislatures, and in our own communities, I’m fighting to protect equal rights for all by passing measures like my Equality Act. Every day, and especially during Pride Month, let us celebrate and uplift our LGBTQ+ friends, family, neighbors, and communities, and recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of building a nation of equality and justice for all.”

“Pride Month recognizes a lasting commitment to our bedrock freedoms—the right to be yourself and choose who you can love,” said Wyden. “As the LGBTQ+ community faces more attacks, it’s more important than ever to commemorate Pride in every corner of our nation. Oregon has been celebrating Pride for almost 50 years, and we must keep that celebration going by making sure that LGBTQ+ people everywhere receive the treatment, respect, and dignity they deserve.”

Brown introduced the first-ever Senate Pride Month Resolution in June 2017, after then-President Trump broke the eight-year tradition of offering an official presidential proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month. This is the eighth year in a row that this resolution has been introduced.

Along with Merkley, Wyden, and Brown, the resolution was co-sponsored by Sens. Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Angus King (I-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Joe Manchin (I-WV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jack Reed (D-RI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jon Tester (D-MT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

Full text of the resolution is available HERE.