POLICY PRIORITIES

American Unity Fund is dedicated to advancing the cause of freedom for LGBTQ Americans by making the conservative case that freedom means freedom for everyone. As the preeminent conservative organization advocating for LGBTQ liberty, we serve as a rallying point and an expert resource for pro-freedom conservatives.

Support for relationship recognition and protecting individuals from discrimination is mainstream among rank-and-file Republican voters, presenting opportunities for Republican officeholders to embrace inclusive public policies. Advocating for “American Individuals, American Families, and American Values,” American Unity Fund is solidifying a pro-freedom Republican voice on Capitol Hill.

AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS

American Unity Fund’s legislative priority in the 115th Congress is the passage of comprehensive LGBTQ nondiscrimination legislation. Comprehensive legislation would secure freedom from discrimination in seven categories of federal law, including credit, business services, education, employment, federal funding, housing, and jury service. Republicans can also demonstrate inclusion by considering the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 1957), which would ensure public school districts are equipped to handle instances of pervasive harassment and bullying and the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act (to be re-introduced), which would address the epidemic of homelessness among LGBTQ youth.

AMERICAN FAMILIES

The Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell established the freedom to marry as the law of the land across the United States. However, there remains work to be done to ensure that all American families have the protections they need to keep our communities strong. Republicans can take meaningful steps to strengthen LGBTQ families by considering the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (to be re-introduced), which would prohibit publicly-funded child welfare agencies from discriminating against LGBTQ youth and prospective foster and adoptive families on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

AMERICAN VALUES

Republicans can help promote American values abroad by reaffirming fundamental freedoms and opposing the criminalization and imprisonment of LGBTQ individuals. Throughout Eastern Europe, most recently in Chechnya and Russia, authoritarian and anti-American political leaders have sought to restrict the fundamental freedoms of speech, expression, assembly, and association for disfavored minorities, targeting LGBTQ individuals and those who would dare to defend them. Meanwhile, in several countries in Africa and the Middle East the “crime” of being gay or transgender is punishable by death or life in prison, and other countries, like Uganda, are actively pursuing such legislation. An American foreign policy that respects and emboldens individual freedom is an inclusive public policy all Republicans should support.