NEWS

STATEMENT OF EMERALD COAST EQUALITY ON THE SIGNING OF THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT
The Respect for Marriage Act, which was signed into law today by President Biden, should provide peace of mind to the millions of same-sex and interracial couples in America, and their families, at a time when so many of the rights Americans have counted on are no longer safe.

Emerald Coast Equality President Jeff Nall released the following statement on the milestone legislation:

“We are very pleased, not only with the bipartisan support, but also the support from more than 40 diverse faith communities. However, I do agree with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg that it is a strange feeling to see the durability of your marriage up for debate in Congress, especially at a time when 71% of Americans support marriage equality.
The key word here is respect. Respect for who each other loves and the commitment they have made to each other. That is what marriage is about, taking care of each other and family, whatever that may look like. The Respect for Marriage Act recognizes the importance of marriage and affirms that all couples, including same-sex and interracial couples, deserve respect, dignity, stability, and the ongoing protection of marriage.
My husband and I have been married for six years, together for 17.  Our marriage is just as important to us as any other couple’s marriage and commitment is to them. Knowing that you will be treated equally and with respect is something that all married couples and all Americans deserve.

Though we celebrate this milestone today, we are reminded there is still work ahead to ensure full equality for the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups that are so frequently under attack. LGBTQ people also still face discrimination at work, in healthcare, when renting or buying a home, when visiting loved ones in the hospital or simply when gathering with friends. We’ve seen the latter most recently with the horrific mass shooting of LGBTQ patrons and allies at Club Q in Colorado Springs and six years ago at Pulse in Orlando. Full equality is a right that should be bestowed on all Americans and I hope this legislation is a step in that direction.”
The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus was represented at today’s historic signing by President Stephen Gaskill. 

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LGBTQ+ Dems Welcome Reintroduction of the Equality Act

The Equality Act was reintroduced in the US House of Representatives this afternoon. The landmark bipartisan legislation would add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories in a number of civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, among others. Stephen Gaskill, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement:

“LGBTQ Americans face discrimination everyday solely for who we are. The Equality Act is a simple but giant step that ends the patchwork system of equality measures our community faces across the country — and even across Florida. By amending key civil rights laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, the Equality Act strengthens protections for everyone. The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus thanks our Florida congressional delegation for their support and advocacy on behalf of equality for all Americans.”