'I have fought too hard and too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against discrimination based on sexual orientation,' he said in 2003.
Rep. John Lewis speaks at an event outside the Capitol Building honoring the victims and survivors of the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida., was best known for his work in the civil rights movement, quite literally placing his life on the line to protect and advance the rights of Black Americans.
In 1996, Lewis delivered an impassioned speech against DOMA on the floor of the House, a rare showing of public support for same-sex marriage at a time when about two-thirds of Americans opposed letting gay couples marry,"This bill is a slap in the face of the Declaration of Independence," Lewis said at the time."It denies gay men and women the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Marriage is a basic human right.
Lewis linked the struggle for LGBTQ rights to those faced by Black Americans in the civil rights movement in a"I have fought too hard and too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against discrimination based on sexual orientation," Lewis wrote."I've heard the reasons for opposing civil marriage for same-sex couples. Cut through the distractions, and they stink of the same fear, hatred, and intolerance I have known in racism and in bigotry.
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