On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5, the Orwellian “Equality Act.” Although a broad coalition of Democrat feminists and Republican conservatives and pro-life activists roundly condemned the bill that would enshrine LGBT sexual identities, undermine women’s rights, and gut religious freedom, Democratic leaders roundly praised the bill. Every single Democrat in the House voted for it.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) rejected the term “tolerance” in favor of the term “pride,” unintentionally showing how radically the Equality Act would force a celebration of LGBT identity on the millions of Americans who would disagree.
For too long, conversations surrounding America’s LGBTQ community have focused on “tolerance.”
But tolerance is a condescending word.
As we pass the #EqualityAct today, we take pride in this community and all they have & will achieve. pic.twitter.com/I53StyYFxK
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) May 17, 2019
Former Rep. Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke (D-Texas), a candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, tweeted his “thanks to the advocates, activists, and LGBTQ champions across the country who lead the way each day, kept the march for justice going year after year, and ultimately passed the Equality Act in the House today. Together, we will secure full civil rights for LGBTQ Americans.”
Our thanks to the advocates, activists, and LGBTQ champions across the country who lead the way each day, kept the march for justice going year after year, and ultimately passed the Equality Act in the House today. Together, we will secure full civil rights for LGBTQ Americans.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) May 17, 2019
Black pastors have objected to the LGBT usurpation of the civil rights cause.
Many Democrats urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring the bill up for a vote in the Senate.
“To the [Senate Majority Leader]: The House did its job. Now, I call on you to bring the [Equality Act] to the Senate floor so that we finally protect LGBTQ people across America from discrimination in housing, employment and other critical parts of their lives. Do your job,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the runner-up in the 2016 Democratic nomination battle and currently number 2 in the 2020 polls, tweeted.
To the @SenateMajldr: The House did its job. Now, I call on you to bring the #EqualityAct to the Senate floor so that we finally protect LGBTQ people across America from discrimination in housing, employment and other critical parts of their lives.
Do your job. https://t.co/IaFzrLCTGx
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 17, 2019
“The Equality Act just passed the House, sending a clear message that discrimination against LGBTQ* people won’t be tolerated. No one should ever be denied work, service, or a place to live because of who they are or who they love. I urge the GOP to bring it to the Senate floor,” declared Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
The Equality Act just passed the House, sending a clear message that discrimination against LGBTQ* people won’t be tolerated. No one should ever be denied work, service, or a place to live because of who they are or who they love. I urge the GOP to bring it to the Senate floor.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 17, 2019
“Too often, LGBTQ individuals are still discriminated against in housing, employment, education, and other services. The [Equality Act] will make sure all people are protected from discrimination. [Mitch McConnell] should put this bill on the Senate floor for a vote immediately,” tweeted Julian Castro, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development and a 2020 candidate.
Too often, LGBTQ individuals are still discriminated against in housing, employment, education, and other services. The #EqualityAct will make sure all people are protected from discrimination. @senatemajldr should put this bill on the Senate floor for a vote immediately.
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) May 17, 2019
“30 states still lack comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people. The passage of the [Equzlity Act] in the House of Representatives is a crucial step towards fixing that. The Senate should follow suit & make sure all Americans have the equality promised to them in the Constitution,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) tweeted.
30 states still lack comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people. The passage of the #EqualityAct in the House of Representatives is a crucial step towards fixing that. The Senate should follow suit & make sure all Americans have the equality promised to them in the Constitution.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 17, 2019
Former Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) noted the recent laws restricting abortion in his celebration of the Equality Act. “In a week where basic human rights are under attack, I commend the House of Reps for taking steps to protect the civil rights of LGBTQ Americans by passing the [Equality Act]. This legislation is long overdue, and I hope the Senate will step up and support these vital protections,” he tweeted.
In a week where basic human rights are under attack, I commend the House of Reps for taking steps to protect the civil rights of LGBTQ Americans by passing the #EqualityAct. This legislation is long overdue, and I hope the Senate will step up and support these vital protections. https://t.co/0RwKHHJJ0f
— John Hickenlooper (@Hickenlooper) May 17, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) explicitly championed transgender activism in her celebration of H.R. 5. “The fight for full LGBTQ+ equality is far from over. But I’m glad to see the House passed the Equality Act today to ban discrimination, protect transgender rights, and resist the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back our progress,” she tweeted.
The fight for full LGBTQ+ equality is far from over. But I’m glad to see the House passed the Equality Act today to ban discrimination, protect transgender rights, and resist the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back our progress. https://t.co/VzH481kk4s
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 17, 2019
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the current frontrunner in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, also endorsed the Equality Act. “No one should live in fear of being fired, evicted from their home, or denied service in a restaurant just because of their gender identity or who they love. The [Equality Act] is long overdue, and will ensure LGBTQ Americans are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” he tweeted.
No one should live in fear of being fired, evicted from their home, or denied service in a restaurant just because of their gender identity or who they love. The #EqualityAct is long overdue, and will ensure LGBTQ Americans are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
— Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) March 14, 2019
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) met with a drag queen in a pro-LGBT stunt shortly after the vote. She praised the Equality Act at that event.
‘Let love, acceptance, equality win the day.’ — Here’s what happened when 2020 candidate @SenGillibrand and drag queen @MartiGCummings came together pic.twitter.com/fqifzvwaeq
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) May 17, 2019
Last but not least, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tweeted her support for the bill, praising the Human Rights Campaign as “the other HRC.
“More than 200 major corporations, 500 statewide and local organizations, a bipartisan consensus in Congress, and 70% of Americans support legislation protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination. I am proud to stand with them and the other [HRC]to support the [Equality Act],” she tweeted. This is perhaps least surprising, since Clinton compared religious opposition to LGBT activism to female genital mutilation and honor killings.
More than 200 major corporations, 500 statewide and local organizations, a bipartisan consensus in Congress, and 70% of Americans support legislation protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination.
I am proud to stand with them and the other @HRC to support the #EqualityAct.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 17, 2019
Follow Tyler O’Neil, the author of this article, on Twitter at @Tyler2ONeil.
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