The Supreme Court is due to deliver its decisions on the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8 any day now, and as our nation prepares to enter into what promises to be a historic week for gay rights, the NOH8 Campaign is proud to present the NOH8 photos and Be Heard statements of 67 Members of Congress who have spoken out in support of marriage equality.
This record-breaking #NOH8onTheHill photo session included local congressmen Scott Peters and Juan Vargas who were both proud to be photographed by NOH8 co-founder Adam Bouska.
Scott Peters and Juan Vargas
Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52):“As a longtime supporter of LGBT rights and marriage equality, I am proud to support the NOH8 campaign against discrimination. All Americans deserve equal treatment.”
Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51): “Laws that create second-class citizens and breed discrimination have no place in our country. I am proud to have participated in the NoH8 campaign and am optimistic that soon all people will be treated equally before the law.”
The session also included the first and second U.S. Senators to pose for the NOH8Campaign (Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut), as well as the campaign’s first and only Republican participation (Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen). “Our nation is based on the principle of equality. That is what this is all about,” said Rep. Ros-Lehtinen. We hope other Republicans follow the example set by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen.
The photo shoot also included participation from Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland, as well as Representative Xavier Becerra of California — the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, & Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Rep. Xavier Becerra
“By giving our thumbs-down to hatred, intolerance, and injustice, we reaffirm the principles that make our nation great. The march toward full equality for all Americans, including same-sex couples who wish to marry, continues. I fully support the NOH8 Campaign and will keep working to advance the goals of equality and non-discrimination in Congress,” promised Congressman Hoyer.
“NOH8 on the Hill, NOH8 anywhere. No American, regardless of who they love, should be denied equal protection under the law,” said Becerra. “History is on our side and our march towards justice will prevail.”
These photos were taken during NOH8′s third NOH8 On The Hill photo session, organized by the office of California Congressman Alan Lowenthal. “As a freshman member of the 113th Congress, I was humbled by the amount of support for the LGBT community shown by my colleagues here on the Hill. Equality and freedom appear to be highly contagious,” Lowenthal said. “It was an honor, at such a critical time in this civil rights struggle, to organize this year’s NOH8 On The Hill event.”
“The growth of NOH8 On The Hill in so short a time–from ten participating Members of Congress to 98 Members of Congress and two US Senators–proves that hearts and minds are changing across the country. We’re on the cusp of marriage equality, and we’re proud to have these elected officials sending a strong, clear message of support: No Hate.” -NOH8 Co-Founders Adam Bouska & Jeff Parshley
These 67 Members of Congress join 31 Congressman from previous NOH8 On The Hill sessions for a total of 98 Members of Congress who have shown their support for equality by posing for a NOH8 Campaign photo. Including the fifteen previous states being represented by elected officials, Members of Congress representing 27 states have posed for NOH8 to date — over half of the country!
U.S. SENATORS
Sen. Martin Heinrich (NM-01): “I am proud to be the first U.S. Senator to participate in the NOH8 campaign. Gay and lesbian couples who accept the responsibility of marriage should have all the rights that come with that responsibility. The time for marriage equality is now.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT-05): “Marriage equality is a human right, and I am committed to ensuring that it becomes a reality. I am proud to stand with NOH8 in their tireless campaign against prejudice and injustice. Government should never disadvantage people on the basis of whom they love.”
You can also view photos from the original NOH8 On The Hill session here and photos from the second session here. A list of all participating Members of Congress, including those below, can be found on our new NOH8 On The Hill page here.
Original link: http://lgbtweekly.com/2013/06/24/local-congressmen-participate-in-noh8-on-the-hill-3/