Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus


The formation of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus was announced on June 4, 2008, by openly gay representatives Tammy Baldwin and Barney Frank. The caucus currently has 165 members in the 116th United States Congress. The caucus is co-chaired by the United States House of Representatives' seven openly LGBT members: Representatives David Cicilline, Angie Craig, Sharice Davids, Sean Patrick Maloney, Chris Pappas, Mark Pocan, and Mark Takano.

Mission

The mission of the caucus is to work for LGBT rights, the repeal of laws discriminatory against LGBT persons, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and improved health and well-being for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The caucus serves as a resource for Members of Congress, their staffs, and the public on LGBT issues. Unlike the Congressional Black Caucus, famous for admitting only black members, the LGBT Equality Caucus admits any member who is willing to advance LGBT rights, regardless of their sexual identity or orientation; it has historically been co-chaired by every openly-LGBT member of the House.

Equality PAC

In February 2016 the caucus formed the Equality PAC to support candidates running for federal office who are LGBT or seek to advance LGBT rights. On March 14, 2016, the board of the Equality PAC voted to endorse Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential election.

Task Forces

During the 114th United States Congress, the caucus formed the Transgender Equality Task Force and the LGBT Aging Issues Task Force. In the 116th United States Congress, the TETF is chaired by Joe Kennedy III and the LGBT Aging Issues Task Force is chaired by Ted Deutch. The TETF is committed to pushing for legislative and administrative action to ensure that transgender people are treated equally and with dignity and respect. The LGBT Aging Issues Task Force works to push for legislative and administrative action to protect the dignity and security of elderly LGBT people.

Membership

The below table summarizes the number of caucus members by party over a number of legislative sessions, the drop in membership numbers in the 114th congress was predominantly due to this being the first year that caucus members were charged fees for their membership:
CongressDemocraticRepublicanTotal
111th90191
112th1013104
113th1122114
114th55055
115th1132115
116th1641165

List of Caucus members in the 116th Congress:

Co-chairs