Rep. Torres Small Votes to Pass the Bipartisan Equality Act

Statement

Today, Representative Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02) voted to pass the Equality Act (H.R. 5), legislation that would ban discrimination against LGBTQ people in education, housing, employment, credit and financing, and public accommodations. The bill successfully passed the House with bipartisan support.

"Everyone should have the opportunity to get an education, earn a living, or buy a house without fear of harassment or discrimination. These are basic rights. These are the rights that the founders envisioned when they said "we are all created equal.' Passing the Equality Act sends a clear message nationwide that our federal government is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans. This legislation was long overdue and I was proud to vote yes," said Rep. Torres Small.

The Equality Act amends existing federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, federal jury service, public accommodations, and federally funded programs. In some areas, federal law prohibiting sex discrimination has already been properly interpreted by federal counts and administrative agencies to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Equality Act affirms these interpretations of existing law and makes the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity explicit, in order to provide the American people greater clarity.

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