It’s been five years since the Pulse murders. So many of us are gathering now to celebrate #Pride, but we can’t lose sight of how much work is ahead of us. #Pulse5YearsLater THREAD
First, we can’t forget that 49 people were taken from us that day in a targeted attack against the LGBT community. Every one of them leaves behind someone. Every one of them has a story. Learn theirs. clickorlando.com/rememberingpul… 2/11
I recently voted to make the Pulse nightclub a national memorial. Sites like these are important because they help the community heal and make sure we remember. But remembrance and healing only go so far. nbcnews.com/nbc-out/congre… 3/11
Pride kicked off in the midst of a number of attacks on basic LGBT rights. When groups like @HRC are ringing the alarm bell, you should listen. hrc.org/press-releases… 4/11
These attacks are happening at the state level because that’s where anti-LGBT politicians and their backers have power. Remember - states are incubators for legislative ideas. What starts there could end up in Congress. wcyb.com/news/local/ten… 5/11
These attacks also come at a time when anti-LGBT groups are losing the battle for public opinion. Support for gay marriage has never been higher. It may feel like a 50-50 country, but gay rights aren’t a 50-50 issue. nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-ou… 6/11
So where does the real work need to happen? How can we go beyond remembering and bring policy closer to public opinion? Here are three things you can do to make this Pride month a month of action. 7/11
ACT LOCALLY: No matter which state you’re in, there are great LGBT advocacy orgs who speaking out and pushing for progress every day. In NJ, we’ve got @GSEquality you can check them out here. gardenstateequality.org 8/11
GO BIG: I’ve voted to pass the Equality Act twice now. I’m proud of my vote, but it’s absolutely shameful that it’s stuck in the Senate. If you want to know why advocating for the Equality Act is so important, start by learning what’s in it. npr.org/2021/02/24/969… 9/11
SUPPORT: I’m lucky to have some amazing LGBT colleagues in Congress, but there are incredible candidates running at the state and local levels across our country. Find a LGBT candidate and find a way to support. 10/11
Being a good ally means learning, listening and acting. Today of all days is a reminder that action is urgent and necessary, and progress can’t be taken for granted. END

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More from @AndyKimNJ

1 Jun
100 years ago today, a thriving Black community in Tulsa was destroyed by a white mob driven by hate and anger. I never learned about this in school but it is a history we must confront. Now the lessons of the Tulsa Race Massacre are more important than ever. THREAD. #Tulsa100
PROSPERITY: The Greenwood area of Tulsa was a thriving Black community and often referred to as Black Wall Street. The residents succeeded against the odds, but their success was a model and a symbol for what could be. 2/14
SEPARATED: Business owners and working families prospered even though they were segregated from the rest of the community. Every day was a reminder that they were an ‘other’ - even those well-off in Greenwood couldn’t frequent businesses in White Tulsa. 3/14
Read 14 tweets
25 May
A year ago today few of us knew the name #GeorgeFloyd. Now it’s seared into each of us. Together we marched calling out his name and demanding necessary change. That change has yet to come. The opposite of democracy is apathy, so let’s commit today to stay engaged. (THREAD) Image
Even a pandemic couldn’t contain the hurt we felt when we watched the video of George Floyd’s murder and heard him call for his mama. That moment became a movement. We are a part of something bigger than anyone of us. Our charge is to convert this energy into real action. 2/6
For those who knew #GeorgeFloyd, I’m sorry for the loss you carry. You carry a burden greater than I can imagine. And many other families have endured their own tragedies as other lives have been lost over the years. Know you are not alone and millions stand with you. 3/6
Read 6 tweets
23 May
When asked about struggles we face, I’ve said we suffer from a “crisis of empathy” in our nation. We are losing ability to walk in someone’s shoes or see world through their eyes. But I have hope as I saw powerful moment of empathy this week at White House with @JoeBiden (THREAD)
I was at the White House for a Bill signing addressing Hate Crimes against AAPI. Parents of Heather Heyer and Khalid Jabara were there. Both lost their children to violence. Heather murdered in Charlottesville when nazis stormed town, Khalid killed in front of his home. 2/10
Biden asked the parents to stand up. He thanked them for coming. “I know from experience, it takes enormous courage,” he said. He told them it’s hard to celebrate a Bill signing about violence because it feels like “you got the news 10 seconds ago” about loss of family. 3/10
Read 10 tweets
19 May
To my Republican colleagues. Before voting today I ask one last time for you to vote YEA on Jan6commission. I ask you to stop in the Rotunda and remember what it looked like that day. I know I’ll never forget picking up trash with my bare hands as I collapsed on my knees. THREAD
As we walk through the Capitol halls to vote today, I ask you to read the quotes on the wall. There is wisdom in these walls. The Capitol and the Constitution are one and the same. The Capitol is the physical manifestation of the Constitution and it demands our respect. 2/8
I ask you to look down at the floor in Statuary Hall and see the plaque that marks the desk of Abraham Lincoln and reflect on the fact that we work a job that Lincoln himself held. Let us be humbled by the history surrounding us and rise up to his great example. 3/8
Read 8 tweets
9 May
While we celebrate #MothersDay let’s also commit to keeping moms safe. I updated words I recently wrote about AAPI moms, many are victims of violence. Attackers target AAPI moms thinking they are vulnerable&weak. What they don’t know is that AAPImoms are strongest among us.THREAD Image
GRIT: I visited Atlanta last month to talk with children of spa shooting victims. They all said their moms were hardworking. Long hours, careful spending to save for family/retirement. One said mom “worked so hard to have it end that way.” Another said “She’s finally resting”2/10 Image
ENDURANCE:Their powerful reflections hit me hard. When I was young, my mom worked night shift as hospital nurse so she could take care of sister and me during daytime. I asked her once when she had time to sleep. She said simply, “I don’t know.” Moms have superhuman strength.3/10 Image
Read 10 tweets
4 May
My wife wasn’t thrilled when I put this Lego Millennium Falcon on our wedding registry. To not seem completely self-indulgent, I told her I’d wait until we had kids to build it. Today, after 10 patient years, the adventure begins. #MayThe4th #MayThe4thBeWithYou
UPDATE #1: Kids started with Darth Vader and Chewbacca. Then fought epic battles and lost focus. 45 pieces down, 1209 to go. We have built something that looks like a chassis for the falcon. Will keep you posted on progress. This may take another 10 years
UPDATE #2: I heard some noise that woke me up at 630am and came downstairs to find my 5 yr old boy working on the Falcon by himself. He did a couple of big build steps all on his own. I’m a proud dad this morning.
Read 4 tweets

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