Over 250 Faithful North Carolinians Call on Congress to Vote “Yes” on Equality Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT
Michelle Nealy, mnealy@faithinpubliclife.org, (202) 735-7123
Kahran Myers, kmyers@faithinpubliclife.org, (727)742-5193
Over 250 Faithful North Carolinians Call on Congress to Vote “Yes” on Equality Act
CHARLOTTE, NC — Over 250 people of faith in North Carolina have signed a national petition calling on Congress to vote “Yes” on the Equality Act. The House vote on the bill, expected Friday, will be a historic moment marking the first time a chamber of Congress has approved comprehensive LGBTQ civil rights protections. More than 5,000 people of faith nationwide have signed the petition, representing all 50 states and over 70 religious organizations.
The Equality Act explicitly provides comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.
“We believe equality is a right. Our nation’s laws must uphold our values of loving and caring for our LGBTQ neighbors as ourselves,” the letter states. “As people of faith, we have an obligation to be part of healing the world. We will not cease in pursuing our commitment to these values until Congress has passed legislation protecting all people from discrimination and fully funds enforcement of these protections.”
To see the letter and the full list of signers from North Carolina, click here.
Rev. James Howell, Pastor, Myers Park United Methodist Church:
“Discrimination against any human being is abhorrent to people of faith and to God. Equal and protected access in housing, credit, education and work is the simple baseline for humanity.
“We, who see the beauty and goodness in all of God’s creation, urge Congress to vote in favor of the Equality Act.”
Rodney Tucker, Executive Director, Time Out Youth:
“As a youth minister, my priority is ensuring the the health and safety of my youth. Sadly, I witness daily the first hand the trauma and anxiety inflicted upon our nation’s LGBTQ youth. No child should have to live in fear of becoming homeless or being unemployed for who they are. A vote in support for the Equality Act is a vote for the safety, health and flourishing of all people. I urge Congress to invest in the future of our nation through voting ‘yes’ on the Equality Act.”
###
Faith in Public Life is a national network of over 50,000 clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice and the common good.