Mr. Speaker, April 12 is known as the Day of Pink. Today is the International Day against Bullying, Discrimination, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Transmisogyny.
Today, communities across the country and across the world unite in celebrating diversity and raising awareness to stop these types of discrimination and all forms of bullying. Discrimination comes in many forms and creates barriers to full participation in our society through bullying, harassment, hate, and violence. In some cases individuals can be rejected by their families, kicked out of their homes, and pushed out of school as a result of who they are. No one should be subjected to such discrimination.
Our nation was built on common values such as tolerance, openness, and diversity, and we must continue to be a model of an inclusive society. We must show future generations that the best way to advance our shared goals is to embrace all members of our human family regardless of who they are.
The message is clear: Anyone can bully and anyone can be victimized by bullying, but together we can stop it.
I invite members to participate in the Day of Pink by tweeting #ICelebrateDiversity and #dayofpink.