Congressman Kim Votes to Provide Equal Rights to LGBTQ Americans

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) voted to pass H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which provides essential protections to members of the LGBTQ community.

“Any threat to the freedom of one American, is a threat to the freedom of all Americans. Members of the LGBTQ community across our country have had their freedom denied for too long, and the Equality Act is an important step in righting that wrong,” said Congressman Kim. “For LGBTQ Americans, this isn’t a political issue. It’s an issue that impacts them personally every day. The Senate should take this bill up and give all Americans the freedom they rightly deserve.”

The Equality Act ensures LGBTQ Americans are guaranteed the full protections of federal civil rights laws. According to Human Rights Campaign, 50 percent of LGBTQ Americans currently live in the 30 states that still lack statewide essential legal protections. A full accounting of LGBTQ rights in New Jersey can be found here.

“While LGBTQ New Jerseyans enjoy commonsense legal protections against discrimination, 44% of LGBTQ Americans still live in states where it is legal to fire, deny housing, or refuse service to someone simply because of who they are or who they love,” said Christian Fuscarino, executive director of Garden State Equality. “Today’s passage of The Equality Act in the House is a historic step forward to ensuring equality under the law truly means equality for all, and I am proud that New Jersey’s congressional delegation is leading the way in championing civil rights for LGBTQ Americans across the nation.”

Congressman Kim is an original co-sponsor of H.R. 5 and a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus.