These past four years have been especially stressful for LGBTQ Americans, forced to face prejudice and discrimination from the very top of our federal government.
From health care to trans military service to so-called “religious freedom” efforts, the Trump Administration launched an all-out assault on the civil rights of the LGBTQ community. Yet through it all, our commitment to justice has only deepened. And that resolve is shared by no ally more than my friend, Rep. Val Demings.
The attack on Pulse was a watershed moment, not only for the LGBTQ community, but for all Americans.
As a former police chief and the representative whose district includes Pulse, the Congresswoman has championed gun reform efforts. She has led the push to make the site of the Pulse massacre a national memorial.
She has fought for the passage of The Equality Act to create the first federal LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination law in U.S. history. And she has taken up the cause of overturning the discriminatory ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men.
As members of the House Intelligence Committee, Val and I have spent many long hours together these past few years, and I saw up close during those taxing, challenging months that she’s a tireless fighter. She brings that same tenacity to all her work on behalf of Central Florida.
And she’s a good friend. It’s why I was so incredibly proud to join Congresswoman Demings in introducing the Science in Blood Donation Act of 2020, which would enact a strictly evidence based blood donation policy and put an end to the discriminatory ban once and for all.
Her advocacy for the LGBTQ community makes no member more deserving of this recognition than Congresswoman Val Demings.
While there may no longer be the direct threat of homophobia and transphobia coming from the next White House, as an ally and an advocate, I know that she will never back down from a fight and will continue to advocate for equality for all until every American, no matter who they love or how they identify, can live openly without fear.
To view the full list of Watermark’s Most Remarkable People of 2020, click here.
