Norton to Speak at LGBT Equality Caucus Press Conference to Announce Creation of Transgender Equality Task Force, Today

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a former chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, will speak at a press conference to announce the creation of a Transgender Equality Task Force, of which she is a founding member, today, Tuesday, November 16, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., at the House Triangle (SE corner of U.S. Capitol). The Task Force will analyze current barriers to full legal and societal equality for transgender people, and will develop legislation and other initiatives to ensure the transgender community has equal access to the American Dream.

"Today, for the first time, many Americans are learning about transgender issues in ways little known to many before," Norton said. "However, judging by the rapid acceptance of marriage equality and of gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans in the armed forces—each in fewer than 20 years—Americans are putting behind their prejudice based on the unknown. As an African American woman, I am heartened by the increasing willingness of the American people to discard old myths and prejudices. I cannot help but believe that the nation's long experience with racial prejudice has left a deeper appreciation about the unacceptability of all forms of discrimination than most had realized. We will not rest until we see the same increasing acceptance that we have seen with people of color and gay and lesbian Americans. Prejudice in whatever form retreats when the group itself and their allies step forward."