LGBT Equality & Civil Rights

Today, Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Barney Frank (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) leaders of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, formally requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to stem the occurrence of suicides among LGBT youth. In response to recent highly publicized suicides across the nation, the Members sent a letter to Pamela S. Hyde, Administrator of HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) u... Read more

One of the most troubled areas of the world is at the threshold of the great breakthrough for peace and for humanity. I call upon the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to remain committed to peace talks. I applaud the courageous decision of both Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas to work together to achieve peace. A majority of Israelis and Palestinians support an agreement creating a Palestinian state. The majorities in both populations supporting a negotiated two state solution—and ... Read more

In a final attempt to convince the President to stay true to his promise to fully repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy this Congress, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) sent a letter backed by 68 members of the U.S. House of Representatives to President Obama, urging him not to appeal a recent ruling that found the law to be unconstitutional. On September 9, 2010, Judge Virginia A. Phillips of the United States District Court of the Central District of California in Log Cabin ... Read more

Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) issued the following statement today after the Senate failed to advance a defense authorization bill that included measures to repeal the ban on openly gay servicemembers, known as "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), and to open the door to citizenship for undocumented immigrants attending college or serving in the military, known as the DREAM Act. “Today America was dealt a double blow. I am disappointed to see that despite the concerted efforts of the Administration ... Read more

Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) issued the following statement today after Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker overturned California’s same-sex marriage ban known as Proposition 8. “I applaud Judge Walker’s decision to overturn Proposition 8. No one should be denied the opportunity to choose his or her spouse. It is a basic human right. It is a deeply personal decision. Throughout history, our country has made great strides moving forward with equality and civil rights for all. Proposition 8 ... Read more

Congressman Jared Polis Remarks Honoring Sojourn To The Past on its 10th Anniversary Monday, July 26, 2010 Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1058, which honors the 10th anniversary of Sojourn to the Past, an educational program dedicated to developing students' appreciation for an understanding of the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Movement transformed the United States of America, ensuring legal equality and civil rights for all people in our country reg... Read more

Congressman Jared Polis Remarks Recognizing the 20th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act Monday, July 26, 2010 Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1504, which recognizes and honors the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the most historic piece of legislation affecting the civil rights of people with disabilities in our Nation's history. Prior to its passage, too many people with disabilities received unequal treatme... Read more

Congressman Jared Polis Remarks Press Conference on LGBT Inclusive Immigration Reform Thursday, July 15, 2010 I’d like to thank Congressmen Gutierrez, Honda, and Nadler for their leadership on this issue. When Congressman Gutierrez speaks he speaks from a place of moral authority—a place of moral authority as a tireless advocate for those amongst us who have too few advocates. (He is) A champion of the population that lives in our country and lives in fear every day of the very authorities that ... Read more

Acceptable deal on "don't ask" Though we'd rather see an immediate repeal of the military's policy on gays, the current compromise is the next best thing. By The Denver Post Posted: 05/29/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT A reasonable compromise is allowing Democrats to gain speed on repealing the shameful law that prevents gay men and women from serving openly in the U.S. military. The compromise would strike the law from the books, but allow the Pentagon to complete a study it claims it needs to work throu... Read more

Congressman Jared Polis Statement in support of Murphy Amendment to Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell Thursday, May 27, 2010 I rise today in support of the effort to legislatively repeal the statute of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and leave it up to the military to implement their own policy recommendation. First of all Don't Ask, Don't Tell is the only law in the country that requires people to be dishonest about their personal lives or face the possibility of being fired. It's a law that's not only hurtfu... Read more