Above: Gottheimer speaks at Oradell LGBTQ Pride Flag raising ceremony.

ORADELL, NJ. – On Friday, June 5, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) spoke at the Oradell LGBTQ Pride Flag raising ceremony and called for national awareness against all forms of hatred, discrimination, and racism, and to continue to the fight for equality. 

“Just over 50 years ago this month, the Stonewall riots in nearby Manhattan, which included some New Jersey natives, started this movement that we are finally able to celebrate here today — but the work is far from over. Right now, millions of people in communities throughout our country are coming together to fight to end discrimination and hate, and to fight for racial justice,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer during this week’s flag raising ceremony. “I stand with those who are peacefully exercising their freedoms and letting their voices be heard, as we talk about how to address this, and as we fight to do better. And I’m looking forward to helping raise this flag here, because it’s a vital symbol that hate and intolerance have no place in our communities. Sending this welcome symbol to the LGBTQ community is progress we should all be proud of, and these are the Jersey Values we should all celebrate.”

Gottheimer, a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, honored Pride Month alongside local elected officials, including Oradell Mayor Dianne Didio, NJ Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, Oradell Council President Tracy Schoenberg, Councilmembers Stephen Carnevale and Thomas Kelly, and local officials and North Jersey residents.

During this Congress, the House passed the bipartisan Equality Act (H.R. 5), cosponsored by Gottheimer, which amends the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit, and in the federal jury system.

The Equality Act included Gottheimer’s bipartisan legislation — the Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act – which amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit credit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Right now, in 30 states across our country, LGBTQ people are at risk of being fired, refused housing, or denied services simply because of who they are.

Fifteen states, including New Jersey, already prohibit credit discrimination based on sexual orientation, but that leaves thirty-five states that do not.

Below: This week’s LGBTQ Pride Flag raising ceremony in Oradell.

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