Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, the first and only openly lesbian Member of Congress, has introduced legislation that would fund federal research into sexual orientation and gender identity with an eye toward improving health care for the LGBT community.

In a press release today, Baldwin said:

“Our current health care system fails LGBT Americans on many levels. Although we have ample anecdotal evidence of these disparities, the federal government lacks even the most basic data on sexual orientation and gender identity and health.  This bill invests in research and takes critical steps towards improving the health of LGBT Americans and their families.”