President Should Focus on Jobs, Racial Justice, and LGBTQ Equality During State of the Union

National LGBTQ Task Force Also Urges President to Invite Transgender Person as First Lady’s Guest for the Annual Speech at the Capitol 

WASHINGTON, DC, January 19, 2015 — In anticipation of President Obama’s State of the Union address, the National LGBTQ Task Force has released the following statement:

“This is an opportunity for the President to urge a bipartisan approach to his agenda for jobs and justice. In particular, legislation that addresses economic equity for working people and the continued need for a federal law that explicitly prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. On racial justice, it’s time to show ‘Black Lives Matter.’ The President’s 21st Century Policing Taskforce is important, as is urging Congress to pass the End Racial Profiling Act. The job is not done on immigration and he must continue to push Congress to deliver immigration legislation that is fair and comprehensive. And the president can also make history by saying the word ‘transgender’ in his State of the Union address and by having a trans person as an invited guest of the First Lady.”

— Stacey Long Simmons, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, National LGBTQ Task Force

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Media Contacts:
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(Office) 202.639.6306
(Cell) 213.842.7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org