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U.S. House lawmakers on Friday voted to approve sweeping legislation aimed at barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in spite of broad opposition from House Republicans.

In a major step for LGBTQ rights advocates, the House approved the bill, dubbed the Equality Act, by a vote of 236-173, including eight Republican votes.

The measure would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act by explicitly banning discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit and the jury system.

House Democrats celebrated the bill’s passage as a landmark achievement by Congress.
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U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, D-8th, said it was the first time a chamber of Congress has passed comprehensive civil rights protections for LGBTQ people.

“No one should be discriminated against for the person they love or their gender identity and today we took a big step to making that a reality,” Beyer said.

“Today House Democrats kept their promise to fight for all Americans, and I am proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues to pass this long overdue legislation. I urge the Senate to pass this bill as soon as possible to ensure LGBTQ people are finally protected under the United States’ civil rights laws.”