WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) issued the following statement after the House passage of the Equality Act:

“In a country like ours, where so many seek refuge from bigotry and persecution, a person can still be denied housing, education, access to credit or the chance to serve on a jury solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. California leads by example with full LGBTQ legal protections, but most states in our nation do not have LGBTQ anti-discrimination laws in place. The Equality Act fortifies civil rights by providing explicit protections from discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It also expands those protections in places of public accommodation such as retail stores, transportation services and service providers. The passage of this bill proves that any gaps or barriers in the way of equal protection should be cleared and resolved to ensure liberty and justice for all.”