thanks to shawn maloney, who is the co-chair of the lgbt quality caucus. congressman, thank you very much. >> thank you. >> let's check in with kelly o'donnell in our washington bureau to update us. having come out of the conversation with the congressman, kelly, i think it's very useful that people hear his message and what he was trying to say because you and i both know our politics and the american conversation with devolve awfully quickly. >> brian, there's usually a very short window when people offer thoughts of good wishes and prayers and a community comes together in support. that is certainly a healthy part of our political dialogue, but then it often does retreat to the hardened corners are people view these kinds of events in very clear ways that do not always agree. in fact, rarely agree on issues when it comes to things like how are guns sort of monitored in our country in terms of the rights to bear them, the types of legislation or licensing or that whole array of issues that deal with guns. certainly lgbt rights can become a volatile polit

joining me now, actress and comedian judy gold, isha mills, new york congressman shawn maloney and rich you first, congressman maloney, thank you for being here. what do you make of this sort of reset that you've seen with donald trump and some other republican leaders who have sought to say we are the true friends of the lgbt community but framed it as a way of saying because we are more opposed to what they want to term as radical islamists. >> right. well, it's -- it's insulting and it's insensitive in light of what happened one week ago today. you know, we in the community know who our friends are and we know who stood with us and we know who talks a good game but who then turns around and votes against our rights. i serve in the house of representatives. for the last three weeks, i've been working simply to preserve existing workplace protection in federal contracting put in place by the president two years ago. if one more republican who votes against me comes up and says, but i have gay friends or i'm -- you know where i am on your stuff personally, you know, i -- you know, i'm g

knew we had the votes before republicans twisted arms and had passed this measure offered by shawn patrick maloney colleague from new york. we're going to continue. but we need to make sure we ake this congress act. there's no question the hateful let richt that exists before the lgbt community across the country is a tremendous challenge. we knead to legalize some forms of discrimination against the lgbt community. in this environment it's particularly important we take some steps to ensure members of our community are protected from discrimination. there are members that should not be treated fairly or equally to an affirmative statement for people based on their gender identity is wrong or in this country is illegal and we need to pass the equality act which all members of the democratic caucus co-sponsored, a comprehensive civil rights bill and would be a strong recitation to this. but we know what the party intends to do is use every indication we can to reinforce the founding principles of this country that everyone should be treated equally and with dignity and respect and that people shoul