LGBTQ+ Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in introducing the Equality Act, historic, comprehensive legislation to enshrine civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ people in federal law. The Equality Act amends landmark…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today released the following statement commemorating International Transgender Day of Visibility:  “International Transgender Day of Visibility is an essential reminder that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, always. No one should ever fear retribution…

The following Vote Explanation was submitted for S.9: Mr. President, I was absent from the Senate on March 3, 2025. Had I been present for rollcall vote No. 100 on S.9, I would have voted no. This legislation is a gross overreach of Federal authority…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today released the following statement on the Trump Administration banning transgender service members:  “I’m appalled by the policy and rhetoric coming out of the Trump Administration vilifying and targeting transgender service members. These service members protect our freedom…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.)—the first Black and openly LGBTQ+ senator to serve in the Senate—and U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), led Senate colleagues in introducing the Pride in Mental Health Act, cosponsored by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), which…