Press Releases

Miami, Fla. – Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) issued the following statement regarding Pride Month:

“Throughout the month of June, we celebrate our identities and ourselves. No matter who you are or who you love, Floridians everywhere have a loving home in District 24. This Pride Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate diversity and loudly proclaim our acceptance of others. 

“However, this Pride Month comes at a more difficult time than in years past. State legislatures across the country, including in Florida, have launched a pointed effort to deny our children the ability to be themselves. This is a dangerous path. LGBTQ youth are disproportionately exposed to harassment, bullying, abuse, violence, and face far higher rates of suicide. By making them feel unsafe and discriminated against, lawmakers are putting children at greater risk of mental health issues and suppressing the bright light that shines in every one of our LGBTQ youths.

“Our children don’t need us to tell them who to be. They don’t need us to close their eyes and cover their ears – they need us to give them the room to grow and flourish. I will always be a fighter and an advocate for our LGBTQ+ brothers, sisters, mothers, uncles, and children. This and every month, I stand with our gay, bisexual, nonbinary, and trans neighbors in recognizing their wonderful accomplishments as well as the obstacles they have overcome, with nothing but pride in our hearts.”