Portrait of Elizabeth Warren
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Elizabeth Warren on LGBTQ+ Rights

Strong advocate for equality (strong)

Elizabeth Warren expresses a firm commitment to securing comprehensive LGBTQ+ rights and equality under the law across the United States. She explicitly states that no LGBTQ+ person should face discrimination based on who they are or whom they love, whether in employment, housing, healthcare, or education.

Her stated agenda involves pushing for federal legislative solutions, most notably being an original co-sponsor and strong proponent of the Equality Act. Beyond legislation, Warren has proposed specific policy actions, such as the Refund Equality Act, to correct past federal tax code discrimination against legally married same-sex couples.

Furthermore, Warren actively opposes efforts to use religious liberty claims as a justification for discrimination, advocating for the Do No Harm Act to clarify limits on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. She also supports improved healthcare access, bans on conversion therapy, and ensuring safe environments for LGBTQ+ youth in schools.

Timeline

  1. Massachusetts, Warren's home state, became the first to legalize marriage equality.
  2. Made a public statement supporting gay marriage during her first Senate campaign.
  3. Joined her Republican opponent in denouncing a court order for gender-confirmation surgery for an inmate, stating it was not a good use of taxpayer dollars.
  4. A campaign spokesperson clarified her stance on transgender care, stating she now supports access to medically necessary services, including transition-related surgeries, at the VA, in the military, or in correctional facilities.

Actions Taken

  1. Legislation Sponsorship
    Co-sponsored the Equality Act (both the 2017 and 2019 versions), which would add explicit federal protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity in key areas like employment and housing.
  2. Legislation Sponsorship
    Reintroduced the bipartisan Refund Equality Act, which allows legally married same-sex couples to amend federal tax returns from before 2013 to claim refunds denied due to the Defense of Marriage Act.
  3. Voting Record
    Voted for an LGBTQ-inclusive version of the Violence Against Women Act that included protections for same-sex partners.
  4. Voting Record
    Voted for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which included transgender-inclusive language.

Key Quotes

First, I will fight to pass the Equality Act to explicitly guarantee that no LGBTQ+ person in America is discriminated against for who they are or who they love.

Statement on Securing LGBTQ+ Rights and Equality October 10, 2019 — Stating her primary legislative goal for LGBTQ+ equality.

Religious liberty should not be used to shield bigotry.

Statement on Securing LGBTQ+ Rights and Equality October 10, 2019 — Addressing the use of religious exemptions to permit discrimination.

Well, I'm gonna assume it's a guy who said that, and I'm going to say, then just marry one woman. I'm cool with that. Assuming you can find one.

CNN LGBTQ Town Hall October 11, 2019 — Her response to a question about opposing same-sex marriage.

For nearly a decade, legally married same-sex couples were denied the tax refunds they deserved because of who they love. It's time for Congress to make it right by passing the Refund Equality Act to address this shameful discrimination and ensure same-sex couples get the refunds they are owed.

Senate.gov press release June 27, 2023 — On reintroducing the bipartisan Refund Equality Act.

Related Positions

  • healthcare-access Warren supports access to gender-affirming, culturally-competent healthcare and advocates for Medicare for All to address LGBTQ+ insurance disparities.
  • judicial-reform She has expressed a willingness to end the Senate filibuster to pass legislation like the Equality Act, which relates to judicial and legislative processes.
  • employment-policy Her proposals to ban salary history and criminal history inquiries in hiring are noted as disproportionately helping LGBTQ+ workers who face wage discrimination.