Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., and almost every Democrat in the House proposed a bill this week that would extend federal anti-discrimination protections to the LGBT community.

The Equality Act would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identify in areas like housing, employment, federal funding, education, credit and jury service, according to Cicilline's website.

Cicilline's bill in the House has the support of 165 other House Democrats, and a Senate bill from Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., has 39 other Democrats on it.

"In most states, you can get married on Saturday, post your wedding photos to Facebook on Sunday, and then get fired on Monday just because of who you are," Cicilline said. "This is completely wrong. Fairness and equality are core American values."

In a separate statement, Merkley said there are still 31 states that do not have "fully-inclusive non-discrimination laws."

"It's now time to take bold legislative action and pass on to the next generation an America that is more equal, not less," Merkley said. "Every American deserves the freedom and opportunity to dream the same dreams, chase the same ambitions, and have the same shot at success."

Sen. Democratic Leader Harry Reid said the bill is "long overdue."

"The Equality Act of 2015 gives LGBT Americans the equality they deserve and protects them against discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and other areas of law where discrimination is now openly embraced," Reid said.

Ultimately, the bill would work to ensure equal rights to all Americans regardless of sexual orientation. "No American citizen should ever have to live their lives in fear of discrimination," Cicilline said.