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10 Inspiring Quotes from Congressman John Lewis on LGBTQ Rights
#1. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the constitutional right of every American to marry the person they love: “As a nation, we cannot say we are committed to equality, if we do not mandate equality for every citizen. You cannot have equality for some in America and not equality for all. This is another major step down a very long road toward the realization of a fair and just society. We should embrace the decision of the United States Supreme Court. It is now the law of the land.” – Congressman John Lewis, 6/26/2015
#2. Regarding basic rights and protections for LGBTQ people at the introduction of the Equality Act: “I fought too long and too hard against discrimination based on race and color, not to fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” – Congressman John Lewis, 7/23/2016
#3. Upon President Obama’s marriage equality evolution and endorsement, detailed in an interview with Robin Roberts of ABC News: “Once people begin to see the similarities between themselves and others, instead of focusing on differences, they come to recognize that equality is essentially a matter of human rights and human dignity.” – Congressman John Lewis, 5/10/2012
#4. At Congressional Democrats’ rally to #DisarmHate in honor of the victims of the tragic shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando that claimed the lives of 49 LGBTQ people and allies: “It doesn’t matter if we are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. We are one people. We are one family.” – Congressman John Lewis, 7/13/2016
I doesn’t matter if we are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. We are one people. We are one family. #DisarmHate pic.twitter.com/BM05lJPNjW
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) July 13, 2016
#5. On weakened protections for LGBTQ people and others in the House-revised version of the Violence Against Women Act: “This Republican bill suggests that some victims are more important to protect than others. It is as though we are saying those who are different—immigrants, Native Americans, or have a different sexual orientation—do not deserve protection. It you start choosing who deserves democracy and who does not you jeopardize the administration of justice for every American citizen. In America we should be legislating in ways that demonstrate every human being has the right to dignity and respect.” – Congressman John Lewis, 5/17/2012
#6. Following the Supreme Court’s declaration of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional: “You cannot protect equality for one group and allow unequal treatment of another. If we are a society committed to the concept of equal justice under the law for every individual, then it must apply for every citizen, and cannot be reserved for some citizens. This decision is just one more step our society is taking toward building a more fair, more just society.” – Congressman John Lewis, 6/27/2013
#7. Following House Democrats’ sit-in to demand a vote on gun safety measures following the tragic shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Congressman Lewis led supporters: “We shall overcome.” – Congressman John Lewis, 6/23/2016
#8. On legislation that limits federal funding for adoption agencies involved in discriminatory placement practices for foster children seeking adoption into capable, loving single-parent families or families headed by same-sex couples: “You do the math. Our society has the chance to eradicate the foster care adoption problem entirely, if this bill is passed and enforced. It mandates that agencies put nothing before the happiness and well-being of our children and use every measure to place them with willing, capable adoptive families, regardless of their make-up. Every healthy family has an equal opportunity to give a child a home. The persistence of discriminatory policy robs us of that opportunity.” – Congressman John Lewis, 5/8/2013
#9. Upon news of President Obama’s executive order that bans federal contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation: “Through the executive order President Obama issues today, he is adding to a legacy of presidential leadership. He is sending a powerful message that discrimination in any form has no place in a democratic society. It also gives hope to the 9 million LBGT Americans and their loved ones who have had to bear the pain and sorrow of rejection, loss and shame with limited means to make their voices heard.” – Congressman John Lewis, 6/16/2014
#10. At the 2014 HRC Atlanta Gala: “Thank you for finding a way to get into good trouble. Necessary trouble. You’ve redeemed the soul of our country and stand up for human dignity — for what is right, for what is fair, and for what is just.” – Congressman John Lewis, 5/7/2014
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