WASHINGTON – Today, the GLASS Caucus, the Senate’s official LGBTQ staff association, announced its newly elected bipartisan Steering Committee for 2019:
· Co-chair: Robert Curis (Sen. Debbie Stabenow)
· Co-chair: Tré Easton (Sen. Patty Murray)
· Treasurer: Hans Hansen (Agriculture Committee)
· Secretary: Trelaine Ito (Sen. Brian Schatz)
· Social Engagement Director: Donald Pollard (Sen. Tim Kaine)
· Communications Director: Pablo Sierra-Carmona (Sen. Kyrsten Sinema)
· At-Large Director: Brennen McAndrew (Sen. Bill Cassidy)
· At-Large Director: Mairéad Lynn (HELP Committee)
· At-Large Director: Russell Page (Sen. Martin Heinrich)
The new leadership team was elected by a February vote of GLASS Caucus members, after which the Steering Committee met and elected its co-chairs and other officers. Following the meeting, the GLASS Caucus co-chairs Robert Curis and Tré Easton released the following statement:
“GLASS strives to make the U.S. Senate a more inclusive and welcoming workplace for all LGBTQ people and their allies,” said the co-chairs. “To that end, we welcome the opportunity of being a resource to offices and staff to diversify and increase LGBTQ visibility in the Senate. We plan to deliver on those goals by hosting professional development, networking, and diversity events. As a nonpartisan organization, it is our priority to improve the representation of women, people of color, and Republican and Democratic LGBTQ staff on Capitol Hill. Offices on both sides of the aisle represent a wide range of constituencies and we stand ready to help in those important efforts.”
The GLASS Caucus is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization open to all whose purpose is to raise awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ community, increase visibility and promote the welfare and dignity of LGBTQ employees of the United States Senate by providing a safe environment for social interaction and professional development.
GLASS strives to advance LGBTQ interests on Capitol Hill by hosting various events that enhance LGBTQ visibility and working with offices to strengthen protections for LGBTQ employees. These events include marching in the Annual DC Pride Parade with the LGBT Congressional Staff Association and Library of Congress GLOBE; a semiannual Speaker Series, which most recently hosted Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Doug Jones; and senior staff panels on Senate LGBTQ history.
Staff interested in becoming involved with the GLASS Caucus can visit glasscaucus.org or email info@glasscaucus.org.
Senate GLASS Caucus 