Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC Co-Chairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) released the following statement following Justice Stephen Breyer’s announcement that he will retire from the Supreme Court at the end of the Court’s current term.
“Since 1994, Justice Stephen Breyer has served on the Supreme Court with honor and dignity,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Chairman Mark Takano and Congressman David Cicilline. “Throughout his time on the Court, Justice Breyer has been a reliable vote for the Court’s liberal wing, helping usher in protections for human rights including LGBTQ rights and civil liberties. This includes serving as the deciding vote in Obergefell V. Hodges, which made marriage equality the law of the land. Simply put, without Justice Breyer, LGBTQ Americans would not be able to enjoy the many freedoms and protections we have today. As a community, we are eternally grateful to Justice Breyer for his service to our nation and his commitment to advancing LGBTQ rights for all. At this moment, when Republican controlled states across the nation are passing discriminatory and anti-LGBTQ laws, we must ensure that the next Supreme Court justice is unwavering in their support for the LGBTQ community. As President Biden considers nominating Justice Breyer’s successor, we look forward to him fulfilling his promise to nominate the Court’s first Black woman to serve on the bench who is in favor of expanding and defending LGBTQ rights for all Americans.”
Equality PAC is the political arm of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus and is dedicated to the full legal and societal equality for LGBTQ Americans. All funds raised into Equality PAC are spent supporting and electing openly LGBTQ individuals and strong LGBTQ allies to the United States Congress who are committed to passing the Equality Act and to ensuring full civil rights and protections for all LGBTQ Americans.
