It is the first time the LGBTQ civil rights legislation has passed through a chamber of Congress.

The U.S. House of Representatives made history today, passing the Equality Act, which would add LGBTQ protections to existing federal civil rights law.

In a 236-173 vote, after an hour and a half of debate, the House became the first chamber of Congress to approve such legislation, which would amend the Civil Rights Act or 1964 and the Fair Housing Act.

The House passes the #EqualityAct protecting LGBT Americans by a vote of 236-173. Openly gay Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney presides. pic.twitter.com/7PlSCPCEnj — Jeffrey Luscombe (@JeffreyLuscombe) May 17, 2019

228 Democrats voted in favor of the Equality Act, with seven not voting. They were joined by eight Republicans voting for the bill. Another 173 Republicans voted against it, with 16 GOP members of the House not voting.

If the bill becomes law, it will ban anti-LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, jury service, education, federal programs, and credit.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The legislation faces a harder path to success in the Republican-controlled Senate, and President Trump has already signaled he’s against it, a spokesperson claiming it would “threaten to undermine parental and conscience rights.”

“Fifty years after the LBGTQ Americans took to the streets outside of New York’s Stonewall Inn to fight against harassment and hate, we take pride in the progress we have forged together,” Pelosi said on the House floor, wearing a rainbow wristband.

“Our Founders, in their great wisdom, wrote in our beautiful preamble…of the blessings of liberty, which were to be the birthright of all Americans. To bring our nation closer to the founding promise of liberty and justice for all, we, today, pass the Equality Act and finally, fully end discrimination against LGBTQ Americans.”

“Today’s vote marks a proud triumph for the liberty of transgender people nationwide. Transgender people have been denied our freedom for generations, trapped by the ignorance, fear, and violence that marks too many of our lives,” Mara Keisling (pictured above), executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said in a statement. “Under Speaker Pelosi and Rep. Cicilline’s leadership, the House has today set the groundwork for a future in which transgender people are free to prosper and thrive alongside their fellow Americans.”

“But we have not come this far to only come this far. Leader McConnell must bring this bill to the Senate floor for a vote. Denying transgender people their most basic rights would be nothing short of a moral crime, one that would stain this Senate for years. Now is not the time for brinkmanship, partisanship, or cowardice. Now is the time Senators must fulfill their duty to uphold the rights of all people in their states and serve the interests of the nation over the interests of party.”

LGBTQ advocates celebrated the news on Twitter, and called for the Senate to follow the House’s example and grant the community equal rights.

Proudly voted YES on the #EqualityAct. No matter who you are or who you love, you are a person worthy of dignity, respect AND equal protection under the law. #HR5 pic.twitter.com/lxO3t0ILOC — Robin Kelly (@RepRobinKelly) May 17, 2019

The #EqualityAct passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives! ️‍ pic.twitter.com/hMfKzxMoNU — Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) May 17, 2019

BREAKING: The House of Representatives has passed the historic #EqualityAct. It’s the first time a chamber of Congress has approved a comprehensive LGBTQ civil rights bill that would finally provide clear, nationwide protections for LGBTQ people throughout daily life. pic.twitter.com/ObFmVv3woE — Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 17, 2019

VICTORY: U.S. House votes to pass the #EqualityAct! This historic vote is a major milestone for equality and sends a powerful and profound message to LGBTQ people, especially LGBTQ youth, that the House has their backs. Onward! https://t.co/ElpKbee6eD — Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) May 17, 2019

BREAKING: The House of Representatives just voted 236 to 173 to PASS the HISTORIC #EqualityAct, which explicitly confirms that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is unlawful discrimination based on sex. pic.twitter.com/hJpdJgc6VX — Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) May 17, 2019

Watch the full House debate and vote in the video below.