House LGBT Caucus Lauds Historic Introduction of Bipartisan Equality Act
420 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20003
Date: March 13, 2019 Contact: Aliya Bean, (202) 225-2305
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
House LGBT Caucus Lauds Historic Introduction of Bipartisan Equality Act
Washington D.C. – The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus today praised the historic introduction of the Equality Act of 2019. Two-hundred and thirty-nine Members of Congress proudly introduced this landmark bipartisan legislation which would provide clear, comprehensive anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans in regard to employment, education, access to credit, jury service, federal funding, housing, and public accommodations. This historic legislation says, unequivocally, that LGBTQ Americans deserve the full protections guaranteed under our nation’s civil rights laws.
“It gives me great pride to join allies, advocates and leaders on both sides of the Capitol to introduce the landmark Equality Act, to fully and finally end discrimination against LGBTQ Americans and bring our nation closer to its founding promise of full equality,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “Sexual orientation and gender identity deserve full civil rights protections – not only in the workplace but in every place. While the President betrays our values with his anti-LGTBQ actions, the Congress is taking strong, bipartisan action to reaffirm our nation’s promise of equality and ensure full civil rights protections for all.”
“I’m proud to join the LGBT Equality Caucus to reintroduce the Equality Act today, which will ensure that LGBTQ Americans receive equal protection under our civil rights laws,” said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. “I thank Rep. Cicilline for introducing this important bill, and his fellow LGBT Equality Caucus Chairs for their leadership. House Democrats are committed to ensuring equality and opportunity for all Americans, and I will bring this critically important legislation to the Floor for a vote following committee consideration.”
“Discrimination against any community in employment, housing, and public accommodations goes against the fairness and equality that are central to our nation’s values,” said Majority Whip James E. Clyburn. “We cannot uphold LGBTQ rights in one state and turn a blind eye in another. We must pass the Equality Act to ensure civil rights are applied equitably to all Americans.”
“It is past time for the Equality Act to be written into law,” said LGBT Equality Caucus Co-Chair Rep. David N. Cicilline (RI-01). “Democrats are committed to delivering results for the people, and that means all the people. No American should ever be treated as less than equal in the eyes of the law. I’m looking forward to getting this bill through the House this spring. Senator McConnell should take it up without delay.”
Despite significant legal advances over the past several years, including marriage equality, LGBTQ Americans remain vulnerable to discrimination on a daily basis and too often have little recourse. Fifty percent of the national LGBTQ community live in states where, though they have the right to marry, they have no explicit non-discrimination protections in other areas of daily life. In most states, a same-sex couple can get married one day and legally denied service at a restaurant, be fired from their jobs or evicted from their apartment the next.
The Equality Act will ensure that all LGBTQ Americans can enjoy their most basic human rights no matter where they live, work, or go to school. The Equality Act has the bipartisan support of Members of Congress, the strong support of more than 160 corporations, and the overwhelming support of the American people.
Please contact Aliya Bean at 202-225-2305 or aliya.bean@mail.house.gov with press inquiries.
Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus is to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality. The Caucus, which is led by the eight openly LGBT members of Congress, is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBT people in the U.S. and around the world.
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