You wouldn't know it by watching mainstream media but Friday the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5 the Equality Act with a vote of 236 to 173. This is the long overdue legislation that updates existing federal nondiscrimination laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 & the Fair Housing Act that confirms that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is unlawful discrimination based on sex. This would finally extend our LGBTQ community protections to employment, housing, loan applications, education, public accommodations & other areas where we are denied access. Vanita Gupta, President & CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights stated, “Fifty years ago, a small, committed group of activists at the Stonewall Inn demanded an end to discrimination & millions of LGBTQ Americans have joined their ranks since then. The House of Representatives affirmed today that discrimination is wrong & that we must uphold the fundamental American values of freedom & equality. This is a crucial step forward to ensure equal opportunity & dignity for all LGBTQ people in America. Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Cicilline, Chairs Nadler, Scott, McGovern & Waters have been instrumental in achieving this vote & we deeply appreciate their leadership. Now that the House has voted, it is time for the Senate to act.” So now as we head into the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall next month, when & how will the U.S. Senate vote on this bill & if passed will Trump veto it? Ah yes living in the new America…Stay tuned. (Graphic by Richard Emmanuel)
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