Civil Rights and Equality
Congressmember Adriano Espaillat is a tireless advocate of civil rights, and has been a champion for the LGBTQ community. As one of his first acts in Congress, he joined the LGBT Equality Caucus.
Congressmember Espaillat was also an original cosponsor of the Equality Act of 2017.
- The Equality Act ensures that the same protections already extended to other protected classes are equally available to LGBT Americans. It amends existing federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, Federal jury service, public accommodations, and the use of Federal funds.
- In some of these areas, federal law prohibiting sex discrimination has already been properly interpreted by federal courts and administrative agencies to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
- The Equality Act affirms that understanding of existing law and makes the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity explicit, in order to provide greater clarity to members of the public, employers, schools, businesses and other affected parties. In areas where sex discrimination is not already prohibited, the bill amends existing law to bar discrimination on the basis of sex, as well as sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Congressmember Espaillat is also a member of the Pro Choice Caucus, and has been vocal about Equal Pay for Equal Work.
More on Civil Rights and Equality
NEW YORK, NY – This week, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) provided an overview of his legislative priorities, agenda for the 116th Congress, and record accomplishments on behalf of New York's 13th congressional district during this year's State of the District event held on Tuesday evening at the Our Children's Foundation, Inc. This year marked Rep. Espaillat's third annual State of the District address since he was sworn into Congress in 2017.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) introduced a congressional resolution in recognition of Black History Month and in tribute to the significant contributions the Harlem community, African Americans and individuals of African descent continue to make to American history.
NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following statement in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day:
"Today, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we reflect on the atrocities committed towards Jewish people during World War II, and we honor the memory of the six million Jews whose lives were taken and bear witness to their legacy," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement on passage of the José Peralta New York State DREAM Act:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement in response to today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to allow President Trump's broad ban to prevent transgender individuals from serving in the military to go into effect.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) recognized the forty-sixth anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade. In its 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court recognized that the U.S. Constitution protects a woman's right to make her own medical decisions, including the decision to have an abortion.
NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement calling for Rep. Steve King of Iowa to resign and step down from Congress following racists comments and white nationalist statements.
WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) will host the first annual Dominicans on the Hill, a day at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, February 7th from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST. During the one-day event, Dominican-Americans from communities around the nation will attend workshops on issues ranging from immigration, education and the workforce, the U.S. economy and trade.