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Just a couple of weeks ago, we put out a video in honor of Gay Pride Month, commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Riots. The video turned out to be quite prescient. Here's what I said:
Hello - I'm Representative Alan Grayson, and I represent the 9th district of Florida in Congress.
Every June, we honor the struggles and accomplishments of the LGBT community, by celebrating LGBT Pride Month. And we have a lot to celebrate right now.
Today, in 37 states, and the District of Columbia, our LGBT brothers and sisters enjoy the right to get married. And I'm proud to say that, as of January 6, Florida is one of those 37 states.
I had the honor of serving as the ring bearer in the first same-sex marriage in Central Florida,just minutes after the law took effect. This was the result of a lot of hard work, and courage, by a lot of people. Clerk of Courts Armando Ramirez, at my request, opened the courthouse at midnight and performed ceremonies, when many other court clerks buckled under to threats of lawsuits and investigations. The Osceola County commissioners, at my request, paid for the additional expense to open his office that night, so we could undo years of prejudice as soon as possible. And State Attorney Jeff Ashton promised - at my request - that our clerk would not face prosecution for performing same-sex marriages. It was a victory for the LGBT community, for equality, for Florida, and for love. Love conquered all.
Full marriage equality is coming. I'm hopeful that the Supreme Court will make this the law of the land. It's the right thing to do, both legally and morally. And I promise I will not stop fighting for this basic human right - the right to love -- until everyone in America enjoys exactly what our Constitution promises: equal protection under the law.
While there is much to celebrate, there is still much work to be done. We need to ensure that the LGBT community does not face bullying or discrimination, at school, at work or in the military. President Obama took an historic step by prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. We in Congress should make this a requirement for all businesses. More generally, we should make sure that every human being is treated with dignity and respect, so that everyone can be all that he or she can be, unchained by prejudice, poverty, bigotry, hunger, poor health or ignorance. That is the real American Dream.
As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month, let's dedicate ourselves to achieving full equality, for all Americans. We've seen great progress. Let's finish the job, so that from now until the end of time, people will remember that it was our generation that won justice for all.
Courage,
Rep. Alan Grayson
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Paid for and Authorized by the Committee to Elect Alan Grayson |
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