Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Passage of the Equality Act
Washington, DC – Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), co-Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, released this statement following the passage of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which would extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ Americans with regard to employment, education, access to credit, jury service, federal funding, housing and public accommodations:
“The House has taken a historic vote to extend federal protections from discrimination to LGBTQ Americans. Our nation was founded on the principle of liberty and justice for all, but for far too long, LGBTQ people have not enjoyed the same civil rights as their fellow Americans. In 2019, most states have not established protections from discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation – civil rights and protections for LGBTQ people should not depend on the zip code where they live. The passage of this landmark legislation will help us right this wrong and ensure that every LGBTQ person in America, in every state, can live free from discrimination in key areas of their life. Who you are and who you love should not be an impediment to freedom, equality, and justice. The vast majority of Americans support equal rights for the LGBTQ community, now we must demand that the Senate take up this legislation and for the President to sign it into law. Equality is within reach, let’s make it the law of the land.”
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