Saturday, Kamala Harris became the first sitting vice president to march in a Pride event as her and her husband made a surprise appearance at the Capital Pride Walk and Rally in Washington, DC.
Fox News reports that Harris spoke to the crowd that day while wearing a pink blazer and a white T-shirt that said, “Love is love.” “We need to make sure that out transgender community and our youth are all protected. We need, still, protections around employment and housing. There is still so much more work to do. And I know we are committed and we understand the importance of this movement and our roles of leadership in this ongoing movement. Happy Pride Day!” She said to the marchers.
The vice president stressed the importance of passing the Equality Act, which would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, a bill which Republicans have widely opposed. Opponents have also raised concerns on the bill’s potential impact on women’s sports. Critics argue that allowing transgender youth to participate in girls’ sports will be harmful to those competing.
The bill passed in the House earlier this year but will face more challenges in the Senate, where there is potential for a split. The same bill passed through the House in 2019, but did not make it out of the Senate.
Harris, while continuing to show her support for the Equality Act, also commemorated the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2015. While this is not the first Pride event the vice president has attended, many were upset that she attended a Pride event as vice president rather than traveling to the U.S. – Mexico Border.
ARTICLE: JILLIAN WEIDNER
MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE
PHOTO CREDITS: YAHOO NEWS
