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Vote for Equality

Floor Speech

Date: May 17, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, a mile from my district sits The Stonewall Inn, the site where, five decades ago, Americans took to the streets to fight back against hate and launch the modern movement for LGBT rights.

In a few hours, this House will pay homage to that struggle as we vote on historic legislation to protect the fundamental rights of millions of Americans.

The Equality Act will extend antidiscrimination protections to LGBTQ Americans. Sadly, from education to housing to credit, in so many areas, discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity remains legal. That is wrong, and this bill will, at long last, change that.

Madam Speaker, this is an issue of moral character. It speaks to who we are as a Nation.

For us individually, this vote speaks to who we are not just as legislators but as human beings. I implore all my colleagues to do what you know is right in your heart.

Vote for equality. Vote for respect, kindness, and love. Vote to end bigotry and discrimination.

Vote ``yes'' on the Equality Act.

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