Bill Summary
The resolution expresses support for establishing June 26 as "LGBTQI+ Equality Day" in recognition of significant Supreme Court rulings that advanced the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals. It highlights three landmark cases: **Lawrence v. Texas** (2003), which decriminalized same-sex consensual conduct; **United States v. Windsor** (2013), which struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act, allowing federal recognition of same-sex marriages; and **Obergefell v. Hodges** (2015), which affirmed the constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry.
The resolution emphasizes the ongoing struggles faced by LGBTQI+ individuals, particularly transgender people and people of color, who encounter discrimination and barriers to equality. It calls for continued efforts to educate the public about these issues and advocates for further legislation to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics in various areas such as employment, housing, and education. Overall, the resolution seeks to celebrate progress while acknowledging the work that remains to achieve full equality for all LGBTQI+ individuals.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the resolution designating June 26 as "LGBTQI+ Equality Day" could affect people:
1. **Increased Awareness and Education**: The resolution encourages the celebration of "LGBTQI+ Equality Day," which could lead to events, discussions, and educational programs focused on the history and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQI+ community. This increased awareness can help reduce stigma and foster a more inclusive society, ultimately benefiting LGBTQI+ individuals and their allies by promoting understanding and acceptance.
2. **Legislative Advocacy for Equal Rights**: By acknowledging the need for further legislation to protect LGBTQI+ individuals from discrimination, the resolution can catalyze advocacy efforts aimed at enacting laws that ensure equal rights in various areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodations. This can lead to a safer and more equitable environment for LGBTQI+ individuals, helping to eliminate barriers they face in achieving the American dream.
3. **Community Support and Solidarity**: The designation of a specific day to honor LGBTQI+ equality can serve as a rallying point for community support and solidarity. It provides an opportunity for LGBTQI+ individuals and their allies to come together, celebrate their identities, and recognize the progress made while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done. This sense of community can empower individuals and foster resilience against discrimination and societal challenges.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 549 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 549
Expressing support for the designation of June 26 as ``LGBTQI+ Equality
Day''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 26, 2025
Ms. DelBene (for herself, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Norton, Mr.
Peters, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Mullin, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. Leger Fernandez, Ms.
Pingree, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Torres of New York, Ms. Tokuda,
Ms. Brownley, Ms. Davids of Kansas, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Panetta, Mr.
Carbajal, Mr. Takano, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. McGarvey, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr.
Evans of Pennsylvania, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mr. McGovern, Mr.
Krishnamoorthi, Ms. DeGette, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Ms. Williams of
Georgia, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Case, Ms. Titus, Mr. Tonko, Mrs. McIver, Ms.
McBride, Mr. Garamendi, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Garcia
of Illinois, Mr. Himes, Mr. Pallone, Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Keating, Mrs.
Foushee, Ms. Crockett, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Simon, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Carter
of Louisiana, Mr. Schneider, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. Thanedar, Ms.
Bonamici, Mr. Bera, Mr. Neal, Mr. Tran, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Kennedy of New
York, Ms. Brown, Ms. Dexter, Ms. Jayapal, Ms. DeLauro, Ms. Moore of
Wisconsin, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Lieu, Ms. McCollum,
Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, Ms. Scholten, Mr. Deluzio, Mr. Smith of
Washington, Mr. Foster, Mrs. Fletcher, Ms. McClellan, Ms. Chu, Ms.
Wilson of Florida, Mr. Garcia of California, Ms. Craig, Mr. Latimer,
Ms. Budzinski, Mr. Soto, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Ms. Balint, Ms. Wasserman
Schultz, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Courtney, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Scott of Virginia,
Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. Carson, Ms. Rivas, and Ms. Ocasio-Cortez)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of June 26 as ``LGBTQI+ Equality
Day''.
Whereas the United States recognizes that all people should be treated equally;
Whereas Members of the 119th Congress support the rights and freedoms of
individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and
intersex (LGBTQI+);
Whereas, on June 26, 2003, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Lawrence v.
Texas that States could no longer criminalize the private consensual
conduct in which same-sex couples engage;
Whereas, on June 26, 2013, the United States Supreme Court ruled in United
States v. Windsor that section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
was unconstitutional and the Federal Government could no longer restrict
married same-sex couples from receiving Federal benefits and
protections;
Whereas, on June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell
v. Hodges that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry and
States could no longer discriminate against same-sex couples when
recognizing or licensing a marriage;
Whereas Supreme Court decisions handed down on June 26 ended marriage
discrimination and the criminalization of same-sex private intimate
conduct under the law;
Whereas LGBTQI+ people and their allies have worked together for over 60 years
to make progress toward achieving full equality for all people in the
United States, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation,
gender identity, or sex characteristics;
Whereas LGBTQI+ people in the United States continue to face many barriers to
the American dream that cannot be solved through courtroom litigation
alone;
Whereas transgender people and LGBTQI+ people of color are disproportionately
and uniquely burdened by such barriers, including violence,
discrimination, poverty, and societal isolation;
Whereas, although victories at the Supreme Court have affirmed the dignity and
equality of millions of same-sex couples, statutory reforms are needed
to ensure LGBTQI+ people in the United States are free from
discrimination and have equal access to the American dream; and
Whereas June 26 would be an appropriate date to designate as ``LGBTQI+ Equality
Day'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports equal rights and protections for all people,
regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender
identity, or sex characteristics;
(2) supports the designation of ``LGBTQI+ Equality Day'';
(3) encourages the celebration of ``LGBTQI+ Equality Day''
to commemorate the significance of Supreme Court decisions
handed down on June 26 in 2003, 2013, and 2015, and to continue
educating all people about the forms of discrimination,
harassment, and intolerance that lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, and intersex people continue to face; and
(4) acknowledges the need for further legislation to ensure
people in the United States are free from all forms of
discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual
orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics including
in employment, housing, public accommodations, education,
Federal funding, credit, and jury service.
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