House Approves Sweeping Bill to Expand Gay Rights

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats in the House approved sweeping anti-discrimination legislation Friday that would extend civil rights protections to LGBT people by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The protections would extend to employment, housing, loan applications, education, public accommodations and other areas.

Called the Equality Act, the bill is a top priority of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said it will bring the nation "closer to equal liberty and justice for all."

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) spoke in favor of the Equality Act on the House floor:

"I chair the Education Committee's Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee, and in our hearing on this important bill we heard powerful testimony from Kimberly, the mother of Kai, an eight-year-old transgender girl," Bonamici said on the House floor.