The Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act by a vote of 236-173 on May 17.
“It’s the first time a chamber of Congress has approved a comprehensive LGBTQ civil rights bill that would finally provide clear, nationwide protections for LGBTQ people throughout daily life,” wrote the Human Rights Campaign on Twitter shortly after the measure passed.
BREAKING: The House of Representatives has passed the historic #EqualityAct.
It’s the first time a chamber of Congress has approved a comprehensive LGBTQ civil rights bill that would finally provide clear, nationwide protections for LGBTQ people throughout daily life. pic.twitter.com/ObFmVv3woE
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 17, 2019
The Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 extending protections to LGBTQ people in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations and more. A similar bill is in the Senate but faces a harder fight as that chamber still remains under Republican control.
Equality Florida praised the House’s passing of the legislation and called for Florida’s two Republican U.S. senators to pick up the Senate bill and march it through for LGBTQ equality.
“Our mission is and always has been equality for all,” said Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida, in a press release. “This is a remarkable moment in the fight for LGBTQ equality. Every American deserves to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of who they are or who they love. We are grateful to the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the Florida congressional delegation who’ve lent their support and votes to this historic measure. And now we turn our eyes to Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio who can call right now for this bill to be brought to the U.S. Senate floor. History will remember us by the way we protect our most vulnerable communities.”
According to Equality Florida, the Equality Act is supported by over 70% of Americans, 200+ major businesses and 700+ faith organizations.
Watch the historic vote below.
Watch live: Historic House of Representatives vote on the #EqualityAct. https://t.co/ayqFVMCfnN
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 17, 2019
