LGBTQ+ and Gender Equity
Where I Stand
I believe that issues of gender identity and sexuality need to inform every aspect of policymaking, from housing to healthcare and beyond. I’m proud to have advanced a number of pieces of legislation supporting the LGBTQ community in Ward 1 and the District of Columbia. Ward 1 and the District have a deep history of welcoming LGBTQ people and a strong network of organizations which serve and celebrate our LGBTQ residents.
Living in DC for more than 15 years, I have become well-acquainted with the issue of street harassment, which studies show is particularly targeted at young people, members of the LGBTQ community, people from communities of color, and people from low-income communities. As Councilmember, I have directed our government’s attention to the issue. At my request, the Council held its first-ever public roundtable on the issue, got stories on the record from victims, and we’re now moving forward with legislation I introduced that focuses on training and education to eradicate the behavior without criminalizing it.
What I've Done
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Co-introduced the “Strengthening Reproductive Health Protections Amendment Act of 2019” which prohibits the District government from interfering with reproductive health decisions and from imposing punishments or penalties for a self-managed abortion, miscarriage, or adverse pregnancy outcomes. It also prohibits employment discrimination against healthcare professionals who would participate in abortion or sterilization procedures.
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Co-introduced the “Female Genital Mutilation Prohibition Act of 2019” which prohibits female genital mutilation of a person under care and mandates reporting of such an occurrence. It also provides for a civil action for female genital mutilation.
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Introduced the Equal Access to Changing Tables Amendment Act of 2019, which ensures adequate diaper changing facilities in restrooms regardless of gender.
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Authored a new law that allows District residents to select a nonbinary gender option on their licenses, learner’s permits, or ID cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Co-introduced the LGBTQ Health Disparities Documentation Act, which would direct the Department of Health to collect sexual orientation and gender identity data in its annual health survey to increase the visibility of health disparity issues in the community and help lawmakers and agencies better allocate funding.
- Introduced, passed, and funded the Street Harassment Prevention Act to target and eradicate street harassment through education, culture change, and by gathering data on the problem that will help us focus our resources. The Act establishes an Advisory Committee on Street Harassment, administers funding for prevention programs, and directs the DC Office of Human Rights to develop educational guidelines for District employees on street harassment.
- The bill was developed with organizations like Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS) who have been championing this issue in the District.
- The bill takes an intersectional and anti-criminalization approach to the issue, and targets high-risk areas like public transportation, for-hire vehicles, bars, sidewalks, and other public spaces.
- The bill was developed with organizations like Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS) who have been championing this issue in the District.
- Fully funded DC’s Comprehensive Plan to End Youth Homelessness, with specific provisions to support LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.
- Coordinated the Metro Washington Council of Governments’ first ever panel on youth homelessness and LGBTQ youth.