Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) today issued the following statement on the passage in the House of the Equality Act, comprehensive legislation to ban discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in public accommodations, housing, employment, and other core areas of daily life:
“No American should be discriminated against, harassed, or denied service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. If we are to hold true to the idea that core American values include equality, equity, and diversity, then equal rights must apply to, and be protected for, all Americans.
“Despite all the historic accomplishments on the road to equality over the past decade, LGBTQ Americans today still face systemic discrimination. Just as the 1960s civil rights legislation was desperately needed, passage of the Equality Act is a much-needed step forward today.
“I was proud to vote today for passage of the Equality Act. Today allows us to see the moral arc of the universe, as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “…bend toward justice.”
“Most Americans know that this fight for equality is on the right side of history. We have come so far in the last few years in this struggle, but we have to keep fighting. It may be a long journey toward full equality, but passing the Equality Act will be one of the important milestones on that march forward.”
Congressman Alan Lowenthal represents the cities of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, Avalon, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Cypress, Westminster, Garden Grove, Buena Park, Anaheim, Midway City and Stanton in California’s 47th Congressional District. He can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, or his website.