ABOVE: U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist proudly displays the trans flag outside of his office. Photo courtesy Rep. Crist.
ST. PETERSBURG | U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist voted in favor of the Equality Act Feb. 25, reaffirming his support for LGBTQ Floridians just one day after being named a vice chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.
Crist represents Florida’s 13th congressional district, which covers Pinellas County from Clearwater through his native St. Petersburg. He joined the majority of his colleagues in the U.S. House in passing the landmark legislation 224-206, doing so as a co-sponsor.
The measure now moves to the U.S. Senate. Should it pass in the chamber and be signed into law, it would ban discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation – or as Crist explains, “enshrine into law what a vast majority of Americans already know and feel in their hearts – that no one should be discriminated against for who they are and whom they love.”
He calls his vote “joyful,” adding that “any chance to be on the right side of history with civil rights is an incredible privilege and honor.”
“Our nation has not always gotten it right, we have not always treated others the way we would want to be treated,” Crist explains. “But it’s our willingness to listen, learn and right the things we know are wrong that undergirds our true greatness as Americans. The freedom to be who you truly are is a bedrock of our values. That’s what we voted for.”
The congressman also proudly supported the bill in 2019, when the legislation passed in the House but stalled under then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Trump administration also publicly opposed the measure, a stark difference from President Joe Biden’s longtime support for it.
“The difference [now] is we have a president who wants to sign it into law,” Crist reflects. “I know President Biden. He is a good man, a decent man. He has compassion for all Americans and has already pledged to make the Equality Act a priority within his first 100 days in office.”
The Senate will need to pass the legislation for that to happen, with at least 10 Republicans voting with every Democrat to advance it past the legislative filibuster, a key obstacle. A number of Republicans have already announced their opposition to it, citing concerns over religious liberty.
“That concern has been raised in opposition to women’s rights, civil rights and now LGBTQ rights,” Crist stresses. “We are all children of God and we are called to treat all with respect and dignity. I try to follow the Golden Rule every day, which teaches do onto others as I would have done onto me – it’s just that simple, love one another. It’s because of my faith and my deep-rooted beliefs in justice and fairness that I am proud to support the Equality Act.”
“More than anything, I hope that my colleagues in the Senate find it in their hearts to do the right thing and pass the Equality Act,” Crist says. “The Senate has an opportunity to be on the right side of history … look inside your hearts and do the right thing.”
It’s that mentality that Crist carries into his new role on the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. The 150-person body is chaired by the nine openly LGBTQ members of the U.S. House.
It serves as a resource for members of Congress, their staff and the public on LGBTQ issues while advocating for LGBTQ equality. The caucus welcomed Crist via social media Feb. 24, prompting him to celebrate the news:
Crist initially joined their efforts in 2017 during his first term in Congress. He calls his expanded role as a vice chair an honor.
“For my neighbors and loved ones across Pinellas and Florida who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, I’m proud to continue to be an ally in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and for bringing an end to the discrimination too many face in their daily lives,” Crist says. “I hope I can be a megaphone for their voices in Congress and continue to lend my support to legislation that lifts up and protects my LGBTQ+ neighbors.”
For more information about the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and Crist’s commitment to LGBTQ Floridians, visit LGBTQ.House.gov and Crist.House.gov.
