Members of Congress, Civil Rights Groups Celebrate Landmark Marriage Equality Ruling, Call for Full Federal LGBT Non-Discrimination Protections

Statement

Today, after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling expanding marriage equality to all 50 states, a broad coalition of civil rights groups and members of Congress issued the following statement:

"This decision is a historic moment for equality, fairness and freedom in America. We celebrate this landmark ruling as a tremendous milestone along the path to an America where everyone is truly equal under the law. And we note that it highlights unfinished work that still needs to be done to ensure that all employees are hired, fired or promoted based on their performance, not their sexual orientation or gender identity, and to make sure every American has a fair chance to earn a living and provide for their families, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

"In dozens of states, a couple can marry in the morning, announce their union in the afternoon, yet lose their jobs or be evicted from their apartment by the day's end. Just as we needed Congress to pass legislation to fully realize the promise of previous Supreme Court decisions recognizing fundamental civil rights, Congress must act to fully realize the promise of today's ruling by introducing and passing legislation to finally provide comprehensive federal non-discrimination protections to LGBT Americans.

"Discrimination has no place in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, federal funding, or jury service, just as it has no place in marriage. We are committed to adding protections for LGBT Americans to federal anti-discrimination laws."