Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, gave the following statement at a Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion hearing entitled, “There Is No Pride in Prejudice: Eliminating Barriers to Full Economic Inclusion for the LGBTQ+ Community.” 

Thank you so very much for holding this important hearing, Chair Beatty.  

The fight for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over. While same-sex marriage and other milestones of LGBTQ+ equality have become a reality within the last 10 years, this community still faces discriminatory barriers and financial burdens. For example, data show that individuals within the LGBTQ+ community often have more trouble finding affordable, safe, and equitable housing. Across America, an estimated 20 to 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+.  

Additionally, the LGBTQ+ community faces difficulties in accessing employment opportunities and being positively included in workplace environments, compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. I’m proud that this Committee is ensuring that these kinds of disparate impacts are not tolerated. 

Thank you again.

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