Introduction of the Equality For All Resolution

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, as Americans, we pride ourselves on being the most free and open society the world has ever known. Yet, for far too long, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans have been forced to live in the shadows because of who they are. Year after year, we see attacks on the LGBT community as governments at all levels look to institutionalize discrimination in the name of religious freedom. In 2015, we witnessed my home state of Indiana enact the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, giving businesses the right to refuse service based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

It is clear that the vast majority of Americans oppose this type of discrimination. After Indiana's law passed, the public and the business community came together to express outrage and successfully overturned Indiana's discriminatory law. However, we are still in need of a federal law to affirm the rights of all individuals to be protected from discrimination. That is why I am introducing the Equality for All Resolution to encourage Congress to take actions that ensure all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, know they are valued members of our society. From housing to employment to education, they deserve to live their lives like any other American, free from intolerance because of who they are.

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