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Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to the House Judiciary Committee’s vote to advance H.R. 5, also known as the Equality Act, the Urban League and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, two of the nation’s preeminent racial justice organizations, issued the following statement:

“The House Judiciary Committee’s passage of the Equality Act marks a watershed moment in the fight to secure equal rights for the LGBTQ community. For too many individuals and families who identify as LGBTQ, particularly those of color, discrimination is a pervasive problem. Nearly two-thirds of those in the LGBTQ community report having experienced discrimination in their everyday lives. LGBTQ people of color are especially vulnerable as they’re more likely to be criminalized, live in poverty, and experience hate crimes.”

Clarke continued, “Everyone in America is entitled to equal rights under the law and should be free to go about their daily lives free from discrimination. We are proud to support H.R. 5, the Equality Act, and urge Congress to pass this vital bill to explicitly ensure that families and individuals throughout the LGBTQ community can live their lives free from discrimination.”

“Discrimination against LGBTQ people runs contrary to core American values of equality and justice,” said Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. “The House Judiciary Committee’s historic vote moves the nation one step closer in the fight to secure equal opportunity for of all LGBTQ individuals. We urge the House to pass this historic legislation to ensure that all people, regardless of their LGBTQ status, are treated equally and with dignity in our country.”

About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Now in its 56th year, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is continuing its quest to “Move America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and voting rights.

Contact
Reynolds Graves, Lawyers’ Committee, RGraves@LawyersCommittee.org, 202-662-8375