Thread by @TransEquality

🚨LIVE THREAD🚨: The House of Representatives is in session, ahead of today's historic #EqualityAct vote. Follow along with us below (or at houselive.gov) as history is made!

Remember, there's still time to make your voice heard: visit bit.ly/passtheequalit… and let your Member of Congress or Senator know that you support H.R. 5, the #EqualityAct!

.@RepJerryNadler just called the #EqualityAct to the floor for a vote! "I rise today in strong support of the Equality Act... Today is a historic day, the first time a comprehensive #LGBTQ civil rights bill has come to the floor of the House."

"It's time we stop asking [LGBTQ people] to come to the Capitol to defend their existence."

Thank you, @RepJerryNadler, for your unwavering support of the trans community & of the #EqualityAct!

"To the thousands of #LGBTQ people who have shared their stories, I say: thank you for your bravery. Thank you for reliving your trauma to build the case for this legislation." - @RepJerryNadler #EqualityAct

Up next, @RepCicilline: "The #EqualityAct has the support of a majority of the American people in EVERY state. Let that sink in."

"The #EqualityAct is quite literally a lifesaving bill. The time is NOW, the moment is HERE." - @RepCicilline

Now, Rep. @BobbyScott: "Only a handful of states have laws barring discrimination based upon sexual orientation... even fewer have laws addressing gender identity."

"Freedom from discrimination is a core American value. Passage of this bill is long overdue. We must affirm that all Americans are equally protected from discrimination under the law." - Rep. @BobbyScott #EqualityAct

"If we pass the #EqualityAct, people like [my husband] Phil and I can be free to love who we love and live where we want to live or work where we want to work... that's pretty simple." - @repmarkpocan

"Today, we here in Congress can protect our #LGBTQ constituents who want to live a life like Phil and mine. Like yours. I hope that you will do the right thing today and join me in supporting the #EqualityAct." - @repmarkpocan

From @RepSeanMaloney: "This is landmark civil rights protection for those who do not have it... It puts the law on the side of those who continue to face discrimination not based on their character, but based on who they are." #EqualityAct

"History records the good. Conscience aligns with what is right. Decency endures the unfair attacks and protects what truly matters. This is a good and simple bill of extraordinary historical importance." - @RepSeanMaloney #EqualityAct

Moving words from Rep. @JacksonLeeTX18: "This bill focuses on saving lives... it stands up for African-American transgender women who have been killed in the South, in the region that I live in." #EqualityAct

While speeches continue on the House floor, @MaraKeisling is LIVE on Facebook with Masen Davis of @freedom4allusa: facebook.com/TransEqualityN…

Now, we have @RepJeffries: "We've come a long way here in the United States of America, but we still have work to do. If you truly believe in liberty and justice for all, support the #EqualityAct."

"Love does not discriminate, and neither should the law." - @RepJeffries #EqualityAct

.@RepRaskin: "Let's bring down the walls of discrimination against all Americans. Let's pass the #EqualityAct."

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"Updated federal law will tear down barriers to prosperity and lead to better outcomes for our families, neighbors, and loved ones." - @RepSylviaGarcia #EqualityAct

"This is not about tolerance, this is about respect of the #LGBTQ community. This is about taking pride, and that is what we do today."

Thank you, @SpeakerPelosi, for your unflinching support for the #EqualityAct

"For Phyllis [Lyon] and Del [Martin] and other older LGBTQ couples, for LGBTQ workers striving to provide for their families, for the young people—LGBTQ youth—this is an historic, transformative moment." - @SpeakerPelosi #EqualityAct

From @RepGregStanton: "#LGBTQ individuals face this reality every day - that they may receive different, unfair treatment... we are better than that. We are a nation that believes that all are created equal."

The #EqualityAct "does not, nor could any legislation, supersede the 1st Amendment. It allows the standard set by prior civil rights law to NOT interfere with worship and religious practices." - @RepCicilline in a colloquy with @RepBenMcAdams

"I rise today in support of the #EqualityAct that we MUST proudly pass today... for in this country, we MUST choose acceptance." - @RepHaleyStevens

Now from Rep. @JimLangevin: "As a person who lives with a disability, I know what discrimination feels like... let us promote a culture of inclusion and tolerance and acceptance." #EqualityAct

"@shappleyk is now today a fierce advocate for her daughter's rights and the rights of all transgender kids to go to school in a safe and supportive environment." - @RepBonamici #EqualityAct

From @RepBarbaraLee: "It is my moral responsibility to fight discrimination wherever it raises its ugly head. The #EqualityAct will ensure that there is clear, lawful protection for #LGBTQ Americans under the Civil Rights Act & ensure no one lives in fear."

Now, @RepLynch: "Individuals from the #LGBTQ community are our fellow Americans. Many of them are Christians... it is indeed shameful that it has taken this very long to provide them with legal protection under the law." #EqualityAct

"#LGBTQ Mainers should have the same rights they enjoy in our state when they are outside of our state. This Congress must stand together in recognizing the humanity and civil rights of all #LGBTQ people—wherever they may live or travel." - Rep. @chelliepingree

.@RepShalala: "Today, we will take a crucial step... 2019 is the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and the birth of the #LGBTQ movement. I'm proud to support H.R. 5."

From @RepLloydDoggett: "No American's civil rights should depend upon their zip code."

We couldn't agree more. #EqualityAct

.@RepDianaDeGette: "Two-thirds of the LGBTQ community have faced discrimination. It's simply wrong and it's simply un-American." #EqualityAct

"Fairness, equality, these are core American values... Every American is equal under the law, so I would say to my friends at home, thank you for your activism. To every #LGBTQ American who has stood up to fight for equality, I say thank you." - @RepJoeNeguse #EqualityAct

"Let's cast aside old prejudices and cast a vote for justice and equality." - @RepDean #EqualityAct

.@repbenraylujan lays it out: "The opportunity before us is a historic one... my colleagues who vote no on this will be judged. We WILL pass the #EqualityAct for the dignity of all Americans."

We're with @repjohnlewis here: the #EquailtyAct WILL "help end discrimination in our country and set all of our people free." We're honored that this civil rights hero is with us today.

"Many members have quoted that extraordinary doctrine of civil rights and human rights articulated by our founders 243 years ago: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident.' I tell people that they may be self-evident, but they are not self-executing." - @LeaderHoyer #EqualityAct

"The time has come to proclaim liberty and equality throughout the land. I now commend the bill to the judgment of the House." - @RepJerryNadler, in closing. #EqualityAct

We have a 15-minute break while the House has a procedural vote.

Meanwhile, our Executive Director @MaraKeisling had the opportunity to personally thank @LeaderHoyer for his support of the #EqualityAct!

ICYMI, @MaraKeisling spoke on the #EqualityAct this morning:

"Today's vote marks a triumph for transgender people nationwide. Trans people have been denied our freedom for generations, trapped by ignorance, fear, and violence that too often mark our lives."

Still unsure why the #EqualityAct is so incredibly important? Take a look at our blog, where we discussed why today's vote matters so much to transgender people: medium.com/transequalityn…

Powerful words from @RepKatieHill: "This is 2019 and we are not afraid of the boogeyman that you're trying to create. We are ready to move forward and tell all of our constituents, all of our communities, all of Americans that they matter equally." #EqualityAct

Voting on H.R. 5, the #EqualityAct, has begun!

VICTORY: The House of Representatives just passed the #EqualityAct, historic legislation affirming and extending civil rights protections for the #LGBTQ community.

👇 Our full statement 👇

transequality.org/press/releases…