Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement ahead of joining President Joe Biden at the White House for the signing of the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act.
“There may be no right closer to the heart than marrying the one that you love. In the weeks since the Club Q attack, I’ve been inspired by the outpouring of love and support for the LGBTQ community from people across our state. Coloradans understand that free people do not remain free by denying freedom to others,” said Bennet. “The Respect for Marriage Act is a historic step toward equality and moves us closer to fulfilling our nation’s highest ideals.”
Bennet has consistently advocated for LGBTQ+ people and equality under the law. In March 2019, Bennet introduced the Equality Act which would ensure LGBTQ+ people have the same non-discrimination protections as other Americans by adding sexual orientation and gender identity, alongside protected characteristics like race and religion, to existing federal laws. In June 2020, Bennet spoke on the Senate floor to call on his colleagues to take up the Equality Act. After last month’s tragic shooting at an LGBTQ+ bar in Colorado Springs and before the Senate voted on the Respect for Marriage Act, Bennet urged greater action to protect LGBTQ+ people and called on his colleagues to pass this historic legislation.