Thread by @HRC

Debate has begun on the House floor on the #EqualityAct. Follow @HRC for live updates.

“At this moment we have an opportunity to continue our march towards justice…We cannot accept the situation in this country where someone can be married on Sunday and fired on Monday because of who they love.” - @RepJerryNadler on historic passage of the #EqualityAct

“The forces working against progress are strong, but together, we are stronger.” - @RepCicilline on the #EqualityAct

“Freedom from discrimination is a core American value. Passage of this bill is long overdue.” - @BobbyScott speaking on the floor of the House for the #EqualityAct

.@RepMarkPocan holds a photo of his family while speaking in support of the #EqualityAct on the House floor.

“The #EqualityAct...puts the law on the side of those who continue to face invidious discrimination, based not on their character but who they are.” - @RepSeanMaloney

"This bill focuses on saving lives." - @JacksonLeeTX18 on the #EqualityAct

“If you truly believe in liberty and justice for all, support the #EqualityAct...Love does not discriminate and neither should the law.” - @RepJeffries

“Let’s bring down the walls of discrimination against all Americans...let’s support the #EqualityAct.” - @RepRaskin

“The reality is that many still face discrimination because of who they are and who they love… In 30 states LGBTQ people can be fired, refused housing, or denied services....Y'all means all.” - @RepSylviaGarcia on the #EqualityAct

“Thank you for giving us this opportunity today to expand freedom in America...This is not about tolerance. This is about respect of the LGBTQ community.” - @SpeakerPelosi on the floor speaking in favor of the #EqualityAct

“We are a nation that believes all are created equal, that this truth is self-evident.
...Whether you’re in Phoenix or Philadelphia, Mesa or Montgomery, you deserve to be treated equally.” - @RepGregStanton on the #EqualityAct

.@RepBonamici speaks on the House floor about @shappleyk, a member of the @HRC family, who testified in favor of the #EqualityAct earlier this year on behalf of her trans daughter, Kai.

“Passing this bill will send a powerful bipartisan message to the LGBTQ community that they are not second-class citizens.” - @RepHaleyStevens on the #EqualityAct

“As a person who lives with a disability, I know what discrimination feels like. I don’t like when it happens to me, and I don’t want it to happen to anybody else. It’s just plain wrong… Let’s treat LGBTQ people with the dignity and respect.” -Rep. @JimLangevin #EqualityAct

“It is my moral responsibility to fight discrimination...This discrimination disproportionately affects LGBTQ people of color. ” -@RepBarbaraLee on the #EqualityAct

“All means all. Equal means equal.” - @RepStephenLynch on the #EqualityAct

“It’s time to extend these civil rights to everyone -no matter who they love or how they identify. ...We must equally protect every member of our community under the law.” - Rep. @chelliepingree on the #EqualityAct

“The #EqualityAct protects core American values. LGBTQ rights are civil rights; they're human rights.” - @RepLloydDoggett

“2019 is the 50th anniversary of the uprising at Stonewall & the birth of the modern LGBTQ movement. There is no better way to honor the decades long struggle for dignity & equality for #LGBTQ people than for our elected leaders in Congress to pass this legislation.”- @RepShalala

“I rise today in strong support of the #EqualityAct...The Equality Act will guarantee federal protections by ensuring that the LGBTQ community is provided full protections under federal civil rights laws." - @RepEliotEngel

“How ironic that my LGBTQ constituents can get married to each other but... can be discriminated against in their jobs.” -@RepDianaDeGette #EqualityAct

“It is long past time that we end discrimination against those in the LGBTQ community in our country.” -@RepJoeNeguse #EqualityAct

“There are hard votes and there are easy votes... HR 5 is the right vote, and I thank @RepCicilline for his hard work and his heart in bringing this piece of justice to us.” -@RepDean on the #EqualityAct

“When half of Americans live in a state without protections for LGBTQ people, that’s not equality.” - @repbenraylujan on the #EqualityAct

“Today, on this day, we have an opportunity to send a message…to help end discrimination in our country and set people free.”- @repjohnlewis speaking on the #EqualityAct on the 65th anniversary of #BrownVBoard

“This is another step in the quest for a better America, a more just America, a more accepting America. That is what we have the opportunity to do today.” - @LeaderHoyer #EqualityAct