Statement by Congressman Kim on Introduction of the Equality Act

WASHINGTON, DC – The following is a statement from Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) on the introduction of H.R. 5, the Equality Act:

“No American should be discriminated against, fired, denied housing or refused service simply because of who they are. These lack of protections for the LGBTQ community are simply un-American and do not reflect the values of our country and our communities. I am proud to co-sponsor and will be proud to vote for H.R. 5, and call on my colleagues in the House and Senate to join me in supporting this important effort to expand human rights for all Americans.”

The Equality Act ensures the longstanding belief that people should be judged on their merits rather than their identity by granting LGBTQ individuals the same protections from discrimination granted to all Americans based on race, sex, religion or national origin.

“While LGBTQ New Jerseyans have enjoyed commonsense legal protections against discrimination since the nineties, 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. “It is critical that we pass The Equality Act in Congress this session to ensure 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.

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.

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