Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) introduced the Equality Act in the United States Congress, a bill seeking to protect LGBT people from discrimination across a number of areas, including employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit and federal funding.
Nearly 70 percent of Americans – including 65% of Republicans – support protecting LGBT people under non-discrimination laws, a June 2015 Public Religion Research Institute poll found.
Freedom for All Americans campaign manager Matt McTighe commented on the bill today. He said:
“The introduction of this bill is an important step toward advancing comprehensive protections for LGBT people at the federal level. Our work is far from over, but today’s events underscore the urgent need for us to redouble our efforts at all levels – municipal, state and federal – so that we’re securing comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for as many people, as quickly as possible.”
While the introduction of the Equality Act is an important in advancing protections for LGBT people, 33 states still lack explicit, comprehensive protections uniformly across employment, housing and public accommodations. This represents more than 50 percent of the American population.
McTighe continued today:
“At the end of the day, we need bipartisan action in Congress to ensure LGBT Americans receive the most comprehensive protections possible under the law. The best way to achieve that consensus is through victories at the state and municipal levels. Freedom for All Americans is committed to beating back discriminatory, anti-gay bills wherever they arise, and advancing nondiscrimination protections at the state level. Ultimately, our victories in states across the country will pave the way for the bipartisan action we need in Congress.”
Freedom for All Americans is the bipartisan campaign dedicated to ensuring every gay and transgender American is fully protected from discrimination under the law, no matter where they live. Our work brings together Republicans and Democrats, businesses big and small, people of faith, and allies from all walks of life to make the case for comprehensive nondiscrimination protections that ensure everyone is treated fairly and equally.