Illinois Republican becomes first in party to back LGBT rights bill
Rep. Bob Dold has become the the first Republican lawmaker to cross party lines and back equal rights legislation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Dold (R-Ill.), who is facing a tough reelection race in a swing district this year, announced he is backing the Equality Act in a statement shared first with The Hill.
{mosads}”Illinois has a long and proud history of fighting for equal rights, and I am proud to continue this tradition by supporting the Equality Act. Engraved on the front of the Supreme Court is the phrase ‘equal justice under the law,’ but as long as any Americans can be legally discriminated against, there is not equal justice in this country,” Dold said.
“Congress must act to ensure that all Americans, including the LGBT community, are protected equally from discrimination under federal law, just as they already are in my home state of Illinois.”
Chad Griffin, the president of the LGBT civil rights group Human Rights Campaign, lauded Dold for backing the legislation.
“Bob Dold is showing tremendous leadership today by becoming the first Republican to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Equality Act and we’re thrilled that he’s standing up for our fundamental values of fairness and equality,” Griffin said in a statement.
“Far too many LGBT people — nearly two thirds — have faced unfair and unjust discrimination in their lives, much of it in the workplace. In co-sponsoring the Equality Act, Congressman Dold showed how important it is that LGBT people be able to have a fair chance to earn a living, provide for their families, and live free from fear of discrimination.”
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