Dear Friend,

The rights that LGBTQIA+ Americans enjoy today were won through decades of courage, organizing, and advocacy. Thanks to those who stood up to hate, we have moved closer toward building a country where everyone can live authentically. That progress deserves celebration, but it is also a reminder. 

Across the country, LGBTQIA+ people — especially transgender Americans — are facing a wave of attacks. President Trump and Republicans are senselessly targeting our queer community, and we have a responsibility to fight back.

I am proud to stand with every LGBTQIA+ person who deserves the freedom to live safely, love openly, and be treated with dignity. I am proud to serve alongside the first transgender woman elected to the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Sarah McBride, a dear friend and a fierce advocate for her constituents. And I am proud to be the mother of a queer daughter. It’s a privilege to go to work every day fighting for a more inclusive future for her and every queer American.

When the Trump Administration eliminated funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's specialized services for LGBTQIA+ youth, I led the fight to restore it. I am happy to report that the Administration has signaled they will be reinstating the hotline, and it is thanks to fierce advocacy from people like you, national partners, and allies in Congress. This is a meaningful victory for LGBTQIA+ youth across the country!

Defending LGBTQIA+ Americans takes more than responding to threats as they arise. I am working to build lasting protections into the law. I have supported legislation to expand civil rights, strengthen access to healthcare and mental health services, and ensure every person can live free from discrimination.

This includes supporting:

• The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act would codify into law specialized crisis services for LGBTQIA+ youth.
• The Equality Act would establish explicit federal protections against discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, credit, jury service, and other federally funded programs.
• The Transgender Bill of Rights would outline a comprehensive framework to protect transgender and nonbinary Americans.
• The Pride in Mental Health Act would expand mental health resources, crisis services, family support programs, bullying prevention efforts, and more for LGBTQIA+ youth.
• The Do No Harm Act would ensure that our religious freedoms cannot be weaponized to erode our civil rights.
• The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act would ban so-called “conversion therapy,” a harmful practice that falsely claims to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
• I led a congressional letter opposing the Trump Administration’s proposed rule to restrict access to medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth.

To all LGBTQIA+ Americans, I want you to know this: You are not in this fight alone. As a vice chair in the Congressional Equality Caucus, I promise that I will always stand up for you.

Pride has always been about love. Even in difficult times, Pride reminds us that love is stronger than hate, community is stronger than division, and hope is stronger than despair. 

Thank you for carrying that tradition forward. Thank you for building a stronger, more welcoming Oregon. And thank you for showing that, no matter the challenges we face, love will always have a place here.

As always, you can contact me regarding this or any other matter at salinas.house.gov/contact. And if you or somebody you know needs help navigating a federal agency, please visit salinas.house.gov/casework for assistance.

Happy Pride!

Be well,




Andrea Salinas
Member of Congress