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Since the 1970s, LGBTQ activists have worked to pass some iteration of the Equality Act, which would amend the Civil Rights Act to forbid discrimination on the basis of sexuality and gender identity. Currently, 29 states offer no protections for LGBTQ people facing discrimination.
The Equality Act has been introduced to Congress four times since 2015, only to die in committee. The Democratic-majority House of Representatives passed the Equality Act in 2019, but it didn't stand a chance under then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Now, with Democrats narrowly controlling both legislative chambers and the White House, the Equality Act may finally be adopted, offering protections for millions of LGBTQ Americans across the country.
The House debated the bill on Wednesday, where its Republican detractors showed no reservations in spewing anti-LGBTQ remarks, further amplifying the lie that trans women are men and falsely claiming the bill would eliminate single-sex locker rooms and other similar facilities.
But before that, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), infamous for her support of the delusional QAnon conspiracy theory, laid forth a motion to adjourn business for the day, in hopes of preventing immediate debate on the bill.
I just made a motion to adjourn in order to give every Member of Congress time to rethink destroying #WomensRights… https://t.co/hd3rA1WgQs— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸) 1614187989.0
The measure failed and the House is expected to pass the Equality Act on Thursday.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) rebuked Greene's idiocy and celebrated the bill's imminent passage in the House.
You could just vote “no” instead of trying to get out of work early. And you should probably stop using those hash… https://t.co/2IERKyja2t— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1614192926.0
We're gonna pass the #EqualityAct today, protect our LGBTQ+ family and make the world a little bit better. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Nothing is going to stop that.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 24, 2021
Ocasio-Cortez noted that trans women are women, and included a trans pride flag in her tweet.
She also retweeted Congresswoman Marie Newman's (D-IL) trolling of Greene.
Newman, who has a transgender daughter, erected a trans pride flag outside of her office, which is across the hall from Greene.
Our neighbor, @RepMTG, tried to block the Equality Act because she believes prohibiting discrimination against tran… https://t.co/mhRVdj53qo— Congresswoman Marie Newman (@Congresswoman Marie Newman) 1614194929.0
AOC's support for LGBTQ Americans was met with acclaim.
AOC said trans rights while sending this ghoul directly to the burn ward https://t.co/NpfL6jT0RB— Anna, but new and improved 💕 (@Anna, but new and improved 💕) 1614194527.0
Loving AOC more with each passing day... https://t.co/HJ0hABV8vE— Dr. Michele Martindill (@Dr. Michele Martindill) 1614195052.0
Get em @AOC 👏👏👏 https://t.co/PDlUZWxPDP— 🏃♂️LoutrePetit (@🏃♂️LoutrePetit) 1614203469.0
I can’t express how often AOC makes me shout “Yeah!” at my Twitter screen. https://t.co/nwD8XJdbXM— Steve Lekowicz (@Steve Lekowicz) 1614202655.0
I just love AOC more each day. We stan an inclusive queen 👑 https://t.co/FjCX7pawl9— Nat (@Nat) 1614199096.0
She was far from the only one to call out Greene's bigotry.
@mtgreenee My transgender son having equality doesn't negate your religious freedom. My transgender son having equa… https://t.co/k04xQXknQC— Kelly K (She/Her) 🇺🇲 (@Kelly K (She/Her) 🇺🇲) 1614195032.0
Just say "I'm transphobic" and save yourself some time < 3 https://t.co/pChk9Lz3cw— Karlington🐛 (@Karlington🐛) 1614195697.0
@mtgreenee There's nothing to think about. It's going to pass because normal people like Equality.— Dennis Ex Machina (@Dennis Ex Machina) 1614188138.0
@mtgreenee Lady, I don't know what kind of religion you practice but it sure isn't Christianity.— InvisibleBea (@InvisibleBea) 1614198559.0
Though the House is expected to pass the Equality Act, it still faces an uphill battle in the Senate, requiring 60 votes to pass debate. As of now, there isn't sufficient Republican support.