Democrats Reintroduce The LGBTQ Equality Act

February 18, 2021 Diplomacy, LGBT News

Via press release from Lambda Legal:

Today, U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) announced the introduction of the Equality Act, bipartisan federal legislation that will update existing federal nondiscrimination laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act, to confirm that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is unlawful discrimination based on sex. The Equality Act clarifies sex discrimination laws to prohibit LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, credit, education, and other areas, and explicitly extends sex discrimination protections to public accommodations and federally funded programs.

“Lambda Legal applauds the re-introduction of the Equality Act, long past-due federal legislation which provides clear, comprehensive, and explicit protections for LGBTQ people in federal law. Coupled with President Biden’s early action applying the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County to all federal laws currently prohibiting sex discrimination, we can see true equality on the horizon. And it can’t happen soon enough: the LGBTQ community has been asking Congress for protections since Reps. Bella Abzug and Ed Koch first introduced the Equality Act of 1974, 47 years ago, and nearly fifty years of waiting is long enough.

Via press release from PFLAG:



For PFLAGers and LGBTQ+ people around the country, navigating life means navigating a patchwork of legal protections that can determine whether you can access basic rights where you live or visit. The Equality Act would change that. That is why we are calling on Members of the House of Representatives and Senators to pass the Equality Act.

In 14 states right now, the rights of children to access healthcare or play school sports are in jeopardy because as transgender people, their right to protection from discrimination in health or education is not protected.

In 21 states, a person who is LGBTQ+ can be denied service by a business, housing or food by a shelter, healthcare by a doctor, access to banking to buy a house or a car, and much more—simply for who they are.

The same is true in these states for people of faith, for people of color, for women, and for people with disabilities. Without the Equality Act, discrimination reigns in this country where we pledge liberty and justice for all.

President Biden has affirmed his support of the Equality Act and remains ready to sign. PFLAG calls on Congress to pass the Equality Act now.

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