FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2019
CONTACT: Sara Spain, [email protected], 202.864.0267
BEND THE ARC: HOUSE PASSAGE OF EQUALITY ACT IS CRITICAL STEP TO FINALLY AND FULLY PROTECT CIVIL RIGHTS OF LGBTQ PEOPLE
Washington, D.C. – Following the U.S. House of Representatives first-ever passage of the Equality Act, Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block, Washington Director of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, released the following statement:
“The U.S. House of Representatives took a historic step today in passing the Equality Act, the most comprehensive federal LGBTQ civil rights bill ever passed by a chamber of Congress. As Jewish Americans, we are proud to see elected officials take action to rectify long-standing injustices and recognize the need to ensure equality for all Americans.
“For far too many LGBTQ people, basic civil rights protections vary depending on their zip code. There is no federal law that explicitly prohibits the all-too-commonplace discrimination faced by LGBTQ people on a daily basis — this bill would right this wrong. Its passage in the House is a tangible example of what it means to have a Democratic majority working to protect the rights of all Americans — and a reminder of the impact of all the organizing that helped flip the House last November. We are proud to have joined a diverse coalition of faith organizations in support of this bill and recognize the leadership of Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) in bringing this bill forward.
“Our celebration is tempered by the reality that Trump and his administration continue to push an agenda of exclusion and discrimination against LGBTQ people. We will continue to join with our allies to defeat their hateful agenda and fight for a future where LGBTQ Americans can live free from fear and discrimination, and we urge the Senate to bring that future to bear by also passing the Equality Act.”
As a proud ally in the national movement for LGBTQ rights, Bend the Arc has brought the Jewish community’s strong moral voice for LGBTQ equality to bear in states and across the nation. The organization has also been a forceful advocate for stronger non-discrimination protections at the federal level.
