Politics

Democrats introduce bill to create an LGBTQ history museum in Washington D.C.

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Out Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI) has introduced two bills to establish an LGBTQ history museum in Washington, D.C. The announcement comes as LGBTQ History Month is about to begin.

“As our community faces unprecedented attacks and attempts to erase our history, we must preserve and protect our stories for future generations,” Rep. Pocan said in a press release.

“It is vital to remember our collective past – particularly when certain states seek to constrain and repeal existing rights by passing bills that harm LGBTQ+ youth and our community at large. Let’s tell these stories, and honor the many contributions the LGBTQ+ community has made to this nation with a museum in Washington, D.C. I look forward to the passage of this legislation and to visiting this museum in the near future.”

The first bill establishes an 8-person commission that would have eighteen months to develop a fundraising plan, assess the feasibility of creating the museum, and determine if the museum should be part of the Smithsonian Institution – the largest museum complex in the world that includes the National Museum of African Art, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Zoo, and more.

Once all of that takes place, the second bill would then create the actual museum.

Pocan is a co-chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and said that all nine out LGBTQ members of Congress – plus 50 other members – are sponsoring the bills.

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