Congressman Al Green is an LGBTQ ally

Congressman Al Green gave a powerful speech for LGBTQ rights because he knows "what discrimination smells like."

Transcript

00:00I know what discrimination smells like.

00:05I know what it talks like.

00:15It's important that I present it as an ally of the LGBTQ community.

00:21I am an ally of the community for good reason.

00:25I have been the victim of invidious discrimination.

00:29I lived in the South. I'm a son of the South.

00:33I lived in the South at a time when I had to drink from colored water fountains.

00:40I lived in the South at a time when I had to sit in the back of the bus.

00:45At a time when I had to receive my food from the back door.

00:50I know what invidious discrimination is like, Mr. Speaker.

00:53Which is why I am here tonight.

00:56Resolved that the House of Representatives recognizes

01:01that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer LGBTQ rights

01:08are human rights and are protected by the Constitution.

01:13I believe that until all of us are free of invidious discrimination,

01:18every one of us is at risk of being a victim of invidious discrimination.