In this moment when so much hard won progress is at risk #Pride is more important that ever.
Craven politicians are rushing to pass ‘don’t say gay’ bills, criminalize gender affirming care, and erase the LGBTQI community.
We won’t be erased.
When I ran for US Senate — becoming the first openly gay man of color to run in American history to do so — I stood on the shoulders of giants whose bravery and sacrifice made it possible.
Heroes who’d would never get to enter the rooms of the doors they kicked down.
So many of those were and are trans women of color who still face huge barriers to be treated with the human dignity and respect that we all deserve.
The first #Pride was an uprising and we still have to fight.
This fall, I will be introducing legislation that will require that TANF benefits undergo an annual cost of living increase to keep pace with inflation. TANF is a lifeline for struggling families and it’s urgent that we modernize the system. 🧵 :
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, known as TANF, is a crucial program for families who are in crisis. I know what that feels like. TANF benefits make sure folks have food and supplies when we are struggling.
Unfortunately, TANF benefits have not increased with inflation, eroding the value of such benefits in helping families escape deep poverty.
People ask why do I want to be in the US Senate and the reasons are numerous. But a simple answer is for people like my mom.
Today should have been her 62 birthday but instead we’re still mourning her loss.
I think often of the cruel irony of the fact that my mom, who was trained as a CNA and spent most of her career as a home health aide helping others get their medication on time would come to ration her insulin.
I think of her commitment to service even as we struggled. As a kid I’d be infuriated that my mom would make us volunteer, even when our housing and food was insecure. She’d say “nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something. You always have more than someone else”.
Let’s address the elephant in the room… 🧵
I’m not the typical candidate for the US Senate. I’m traversing a path never taken, to go to a place that never envisioned me as a member. A place still rarely sees folks like us. That means this ain’t easy.
I know I say this a lot, but it’s so important to have ACTUAL working people in government. I grew up a poor Black gay kid in Philly. I don’t come from generational wealth — in fact, my mom had to ration her insulin, and my family moved A LOT. But here’s the thing:
My story is not unique at all. Everywhere I go in PA, I hear stories of good, hard-working people struggling to make ends meet. The crushing weight of student debt. The skyrocketing cost of childcare and senior care. Postponed doctor visits and unfulfilled prescriptions.
Today in Gettysburg, I rolled out my eight-point agenda to deliver a New Day for American Democracy. I’ve been passionate about making sure all of us can make our voices heard as easily as possible so we can have a government that works for working people. Here’s what it says: 🧵
1️⃣: In the Senate I will introduce a bill to create a Civilian Democracy Corps, housed under AmeriCorps, to reinvigorate the teaching of civic education and how to spot misinformation and disinformation. cityandstatepa.com/content/what-c…
2️⃣: I renewed my call to end the Jim Crow Filibuster. The filibuster enables a minority of Senators to block legislation supported by the majority. The filibuster is not sacred, but voting is, equality is, justice is.
Pride is way to commemorate the brave souls who fought back against state sanctioned violence at Stonewall. That uprising, spurred on by Black trans & nonbinary folks was the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Pride month is a reminder of what is left to be done:
In Pennsylvania the LGBTQ+ community continues to not be afforded basic nondiscrimination protections. Meaning housing, service in public accommodations, and much more is not guaranteed.
Here too we haven’t updated our hate crimes statues to include targeted violence against LGBTQ+ folks even as we see record levels of hate crimes specifically against trans women of color.