NATIONAL
Labor, Democrats celebrate House passage of Equality Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 26, 2021) — The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed sweeping labor-supported legislation to ban discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity, delivering a major victory to the LGBTQ community.
The Equality Act, which would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to provide protections for LGBTQ individuals, passed on a 224-206 vote with unanimous support from House Democrats but just three Republicans. Washington Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers all voted “no.”
The measure now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
Statement from AFL-CIO President @RichardTrumka on the House passage of the #EqualityAct. ?️? ?️⚧️ #1u https://t.co/bZTLPcjEqR pic.twitter.com/zhjLm3ooeX
— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) February 25, 2021
Washington’s Democratic congressional delegation also celebrated Thursday’s passage of the Equality Act.
As the proud mom of a trans kid, I’ll fight for every LGBTQ+ person to explore and express the fullness of their gender without fear or risk of being fired, denied housing, or refused service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Let’s pass the Equality Act. pic.twitter.com/S2K192QP86
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) February 25, 2021
It’s been long enough. Discrimination against #LGBTQ people must end. Let’s make the #EqualityAct federal law. ?️?
I just voted to guarantee protections for LGBTQ people in:
?Employment
?Housing
?Education
?Access to credit
?Public accommodations
?Federal $
⚖Jury service pic.twitter.com/RVuA8HrvFA— Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (@RepStricklandWA) February 26, 2021
Today I proudly voted for the #EqualityAct. This bill provides long overdue civil rights protections to LGBTQ Americans. No one should be discriminated against for who they are or who they love. https://t.co/uSfZDK6qbg
— Rep. Kim Schrier (@RepKimSchrier) February 25, 2021
I just voted for the #EqualityAct to guarantee nondiscrimination protections for #LGBTQ people in ⬇️
? Employment⁰? Housing⁰? Education⁰? Access to credit⁰? Public accommodations⁰? Federal funding⁰⚖ Jury service
— Rep. Rick Larsen (@RepRickLarsen) February 25, 2021