The Bilerico Project | Daily experiments in LGBTQ

U.S. Rep's Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Robert Wexler, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen have joined 52 other members of Congress to form the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.

The caucus' mission is to push for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people, repeal discriminatory laws and work against hate-motivated violence.

Wasserman-Schultz, who is one of the new caucus' vice chairs, said:

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered Americans are awash in a sea of inequality. Equality for our gay, lesbian and transgender friends is not negotiable. I am proud to represent Fort Lauderdale, one of the largest LGBT constituencies of any congressional district and one of the country's most popular LGBT travel destinations.

Out of Florida's 25 members of Congress, only Wasserman-Schultz, Wexler and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen are involved with the caucus. Of the 52 members who formed the new group, Ros-Lehtinen is one of only two Republicans.

I applaud our South Florida leaders for standing up for the LGBT community and hope the newly formed caucus can make some real impact in Washington.

It is extremely sad that only 3 of our lawmakers have joined this caucus. I would hope that the LGBT community around the state takes notice of their congressperson's absence and remembers that when they go to the voting booth.