Welcome to the new world, a world where top political leaders stand up and demand America gives LGBT people full equality.
Just past noon today, a dozen top Democratic lawmakers gathered to announce the introduction in the House and Senate brand new legislation to protect LGBT people. This, just two decades after virulently discriminatory and unconstitutional legislation, like the Defense of Marriage Act, and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” were being signed into law.
The federal Equality Act would protect LGBT people from discrimination in important areas including public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, education, jury service, and federal funding.Â
Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is among the dozen lawmakers who are championing the Equality Act.Â
“What we are doing here today is very patriotic. It’s very American. And it’s a proud day for all of us,” the former Speaker said this afternoon, noting that the Equality Act also “has very strong protections for women in it.”Â
Pelosi also reminded the room that this is the fourth cog in the battle against discrimination for LGBT people.
“It wasn’t been that long ago when we passed in the Congress the hate crimes legislation – fully inclusive hate crimes legislation. That was step one and it was a big step. And then we had the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ with the help of President Obama taking the lead. And we salute him for his courage and leadership there. And then the [Supreme] Court. We had four issues: again, hate crimes, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, ENDA and marriage equality. Well, the Court and the public took care of the marriage equality issue but more work needs to be done.”
Supporting the bill are 155 members in the House and 40 members in the Senate.
All Democrats, no Republicans currently.
Also speaking at today’s event were the bill’s sponsor in the Senate, Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and the bill’s sponsor in the House, David Cicilline (D-RI), along with Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) and Reps. Mike Honda (D-CA), Jared Polis (D-CO), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY)and Mark Takano (D-CA).
Rep. Steny Hoyer, in a well-orchestrated attempt to win Republican votes for the legislation, offered an emotional plea, reminding the audience about the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980’s.
“There were some in America who thought it was an opportunity to discriminate against those who became sick. And President Reagan was asked at a press conference, ‘What do you think about discriminating against those with AIDS?,'” Hoyer said. “And Ronald Reagan’s answer was, ‘I don’t believe in discrimination against anybody. Next question.’ That’s what this bill says,” Hoyer reminded the audience.
LOOK: Democrats In Congress To Introduce New Comprehensive LGBT Rights Bill – 7 Ways It Could Help You
“This bill says that America will mean what it has said through the centuries,” Hoyer continued. “This is about bringing us together.”
Also speaking were LGBT Americans who have been subjected to discrimination, including Jami and Krista Contreras of Oak Park, Michigan. Their well-publicized story took place in their pediatrician’s office, when, having just given birth, and having met with and chosen a pediatrician weeks earlier, they were told that after much prayer she had decided she could not be their infant girl’s doctor.
The bill also has the support of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Prop 8 attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies, Apple, Inc., the National Center for Transgender Equality, National Partnership for Women & Families, Equality Federation, American Federation of Teachers, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and other civil rights groups and corporations.
The video itself is long, but it is vitally important. It signals this is a new world, one where America is more equal. And strong leaders are here to help support us.
Watch:
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Image: Screenshots via YouTube
Hat tip: Chris Johnson at Washington Blade
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