Burlington Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 12, 2023, ahead of Mother’s Day Weekend, Rep. Balint co-led the “Honoring All Families” resolution, introduced by Rep. Robert Garcia (CA-42). The resolution affirms support for all types of families -- especially LGBTQ+ families and families who adopt -- as legitimate and deserving of respect and recognition. Co-leads for this resolution are Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Ranking Member Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25), Angie Craig (MN-02), and Mark Pocan (WI-02).

The resolution is a direct response to insensitive and controversial remarks by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), who suggested a witness who is a stepmother and LGBTQ+ person, was “not a mother” in an April 26 hearing of the Select Subcommittee for the Coronavirus Pandemic.  

“Families take many forms. Like my own, families across our nation define who they are by love and support. We should be applauding and lifting up families of all kinds who give their loved ones the support they need and deserve. This kind of ignorance and bullying must be rejected and denounced. I stand with families of all kinds.” said Congresswoman Balint (VT-AL).  

“As an LGBTQ+ person myself, I know the positive impact chosen family and adoptive figures have on our community. With this resolution, we stand with these families and honor the incredible work they do to nurture, raise, and provide for their loved ones. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and they shape who we are in an immeasurable way,” said Congressman Garcia (CA-42).“Marjorie Taylor Greene’s comments were gross, bigoted, and invalidated the thousands of loving LGBTQ+ and adoptive families across this country.”  

“As Ranking Member of the Select Subcommittee, I was deeply troubled to hear such harmful, extreme remarks disparaging LGBTQ+ and adoptive families during last month’s hearing,” said Ranking Member Ruiz (CA-25). “Our nation is forged by people from all different backgrounds and circumstances coming together to build a better future for the next generation. We are at our strongest when we recognize that a parent’s contributions to their child’s growth and success are not defined by the circumstances by which they become a parent, and adoptive parents, foster parents, and stepparents are no exception. That is why I’m joining Congressman Garcia’s resolution that gives all of America's families the respect and celebration they deserve." 

"No one, including extremist politicians, has the right to tell any child or any parent whether their family is valid. It’s not surprising, that Marjorie Taylor Greene is attacking LGBTQI+ families to raise her political profile and raise funds," said Equality Caucus Chair Mark Pocan (WI-02). "I’m grateful to Representatives Garcia, Ruiz, Balint, and Craig for introducing this resolution. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us in uplifting all families and condemning Marjorie Taylor Greene’s remarks.” 

“My wife Cheryl, our four boys and our grandson are a family thanks in part to adoption. I’m helping lead this push on behalf of every adopted mother in America, because I believe we should support and uplift all American families, no matter what Marjorie Taylor Greene and the Radical Right say.” said Congresswoman Craig (MN-02).  

“As a proud adoptee; the son of two loving parents who provided me with all the love and support a child could ever ask for, I am repulsed by the baseless, hateful rhetoric that otherizes adoptive families,” said Congressman Frost (FL-10). “We will not allow any single member to disrespect the people who have opened their hearts and homes up to children. This resolution sends a powerful message that whether you adopted your child, had biological children, or found your chosen family in some other way — your family matters.”

 The resolution is endorsed by the Congressional Equality Caucus, Human Rights Campaign, Family Equality, the National Center for Transgender Equality, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, interACT, the National Partnership for Women & Families, the Whitman-Walker Institute, SAGE, COLAGE, Voice for Adoption, and the National Health Law Program.

The text of the resolution is available here. 

Original source can be found here.