Political Quotes

“It is not often that this Chamber does remarkable things. Today, we pass the Equality Act, which includes my bill, the Juror Non-Discrimination Act. This has been a long time coming and it represents progress that, for me, was unbelievable when I was growing up. You see, to grow up poor, Black, and gay is to not see yourself anywhere. It is also to feel completely unseen, as so many people around you invalidate your very existence. Growing up, I watched helplessly as opportunistic, straight politicians--mostly White, mostly male--used my basic human rights as a political football to further their careers. Had this legislation been enacted when I was growing up, it would have been direct evidence of the fact that things really do get better, that I didn't have to hide or cry so much. Thankfully, since childhood, things have gotten better, but that hasn't been because of the mere passage of time. It has been because LGBTQ advocates made life better. Today, we send a powerful message to millions of LGBTQ people around the country and, indeed, around the world that they are seen, that they are valued, that their lives are worthy of being protected. How remarkable that is, Mr. Speaker.”