ISSUES
LGBTQ+ RIghts
Our nation’s principles demand that we stand up for ALL members of our communities. Members of the LGBTQ+ communities deserve to feel safe, to be respected, and to be provided with equal opportunities.
Discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals increases bullying, depression, and suicide in devastating numbers. According to The Trevor Project, “More than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.” This discrimination hurts all of our communities as LGTBQ+ rates of homelessness, incarceration, and substance abuse are all disproportionately high in areas where this type of discrimination exists.
Just this year, Florida has attempted to pass fourteen anti-LGBTQ+ legislative bills. We must ensure that our communities are safe and welcoming for all, and we must create educational and workplace programs to reduce hate and bigotry.