[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 46 (Thursday, March 14, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H2735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPORTING THE EQUALITY ACT

  (Ms. HAALAND asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Equality 
Act.
  America must live up to its values, and that means treating everyone 
as equals and ending discrimination. The Equality Act is about making 
sure all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender 
identity, can participate in our society without fear.
  New Mexico is home to diverse religious and traditional communities 
and has stood up for its LGBTQ population for a long time. We stood up 
early to ban the cruel practice of conversion therapy.
  The Equality Act allows us to adhere to our faiths while prohibiting 
harmful and isolating acts of discrimination experienced by too many 
LGBTQ Americans.
  Consider this: 38 percent of transgender New Mexicans are unemployed; 
40 percent live in poverty; 26 percent have been discriminated against 
during the hiring or promotion processes; 41 percent have been homeless 
at some point; and 33 percent have been discriminated against at a 
place of public accommodation.
  No one should have to worry about being discriminated against when 
planning their wedding or struggle to simply get a cake. The Equality 
Act will outlaw such discrimination, which is why we should pass it as 
soon as possible.

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