Expanding Protections for the LGBTQI+ Community

Democratic U.S. Reps. Robert Garcia and Barbara Lee of California sent a letter on Thursday urging the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to compel health insurers to provide free access to doxy PEP, a drug regimen for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

The USPSTF is an independent panel of experts in primary care and preventative medicine organized under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services whose primary responsibility is to evaluate the evidence on the safety and efficacy of medical screenings, counseling, and preventative medications.

As Pride Month draws to a close, California U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, the first out gay immigrant elected to Congress, has unveiled his much-anticipated 2024 Pride Playlist, offering a vibrant soundtrack to cap off the celebrations. This collection curated by the congressman, now in its second year, features an eclectic mix of tunes from renowned artists, including Chappell Roan, Janelle Monáe, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Jack Harlow, and many more, each selected to resonate with the diverse experiences and joys within theLGBTQ+ community. Available for streaming on bothSpotify andApple Music, Garcia’s playlist is more than just amusical journey—it’s a personal narrative reflecting his connections to these songs throughout various stages of his life.

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) on Monday unveiled his second annual Pride playlist, complete with hits from pop powerhouses Beyoncé and Taylor Swift and rising stars including Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter. 

Out gay Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif) has sent a letter to federal officials asking them to help protect LGBTQ+ people from violence during Pride month. In a letter sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Director of the FBI Christopher Wray, Garcia expressed “grave concern” in light of FBI and DHS warnings of “foreign terrorist organizations’’ posing a risk to queer people during June.

U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) on June 12 sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray to work to ensure LGBTQ people during Pride events.

The California Democrat passionately defended the art form during a debate in the House of Representatives over the National Defense Authorization Act. Republicans sneaked a number of culture war issues into the annual defense funding legislation, including amendments preventing funds from covering service members' abortion travel costs and gender-affirming care, as well as preventing funds from being used to host drag shows on military bases.