Leaders of LGBT Caucus to host first openly transgender speaker at a National Convention

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The leaders of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus will host the first ever openly transgender speaker at a major party convention next week in Philadelphia, Pa.  The Caucus leaders have invited transgender activist Sarah McBride to speak during the portion of the Democratic convention program planned by the LGBT Members of Congress.

Ms. McBride is an activist and community leader whose personal story and work for equality make her voice invaluable to the national conversation on LGBT civil rights.

“It has always been important to the LGBT members for all voices to be in the room and at the table,” said Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and Equality PAC Co-Chair Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA).  “It is disappointing that it has taken so long for a transgender person to address a major party convention, but we are proud to host Sarah McBride as part of our program.  Sarah’s personal story and unending commitment to LGBT rights makes her an invaluable voice to have in the conversation, and we look forward to working with her to make full legal and social equality a reality.”

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) will speak on behalf of the six LGBT Caucus Co-Chairs and will discuss the importance of the continuing fight for LGBT equality, how Hillary Clinton is a true champion for the LGBT community and introduce Ms. McBride.

“It is a testament to the LGBT Caucus’ commitment to transgender people that they have chosen to use their unique platform to focus attention on transgender equality,” said Sarah McBride, National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.  “I’m honored for this opportunity to share my story and to be the first transgender person to speak at a major party convention.  People must understand that even as we face daily harassment, tragic violence, and an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ political attacks across the country, we are real people merely seeking to be treated with the dignity and respect every person deserves.  I’m so proud to stand up and speak out in support of Hillary Clinton, because I know she stands with us.”

Equality PAC, the political action committee formed by leaders of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, endorsed Secretary Clinton’s candidacy in March, 2016.

“Equality PAC was formed to create the right environment in Washington to bring about full societal and legal equality for LGBT people,” said Equality PAC Managing Director Roddy Flynn. “Secretary Clinton has made LGBT equality a top priority in her campaign, and can be trusted to make equality a top priority when she is president.  She has committed to fighting hard for comprehensive federal nondiscrimination protection, and we look forward to the day she signs the bipartisan Equality Act into law.”

The purpose of Equality PAC is to work to bring nearer the full legal and societal equality of LGBT persons and creating a legislative environment that is conducive to that goal.  The Board of Directors includes Co-Chairs Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO) and Mark Takano (D-CA), who are also Co-Chairs of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, and Board Members Representative David Cicilline (D-RI), also an LGBT Equality Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI), a Vice-Chair of the Caucus, and Caucus members Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Joseph Kennedy, III (D-MA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Grace Meng (D-NY), and Gwen Moore (D-WI).