“The wage gap is a well-documented, devastating drain on working people, families, businesses and our economy. We have long called attention to the harm it causes moms and women, and especially moms and women of color. But unfair pay also causes grave and lasting harm to the LGBTQIA+ community and today, on LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day, moms join the urgent call to end discrimination and ensure fair pay for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

“The Human Rights Campaign Foundation reports that full-time LGBTQ workers are paid just 90 cents for every $1 paid to the average worker in the United States – and LGBTQ women are paid even less, just 87 cents. Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals and LGBTQIA+ people of color, immigrants, and cisgender bisexual women experience especially high rates of poverty. That is unacceptable.

“America’s moms reject a system that devalues LGBTQIA+ labor. Many moms are members and supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community and parents of LGBTQIA+ children. Moms want everyone to be able to contribute fully to our society and to live without facing discrimination. At this time when we see shameful attacks on trans and LGBTQIA+ communities and hundreds of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills being considered in state legislatures across the country, moms call on Congress to prioritize policies that will protect LGBTQIA+ workers, root out discrimination, and advance pay equity. There’s no time to waste.”