SUMMARY OF ISSUE
The Equality Act (S. 393) would prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, credit, education, public accommodations (things like restaurants, hotels, and theaters), and jury service. It would also prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in programs receiving federal funding. It passed the House of Representatives on February 25, 2021 – and now it’s the Senate’s turn to act!
More than 1 in 3 LGBTQ Americans have reported facing some form of discrimination within the past year, with the number increasing to 3 in 5 for transgender individuals. But currently, only 22 states have non-discrimination protections that fully protect LGBTQ individuals.
The most recent polling from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) shows that more than 80 percent of all Americans (including a majority of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans) support comprehensive nondiscrimination protections that include LGBTQ individuals. More than 600 national, state, and local organizations have signed on to urge the swift passage of the Equality Act, in addition to a broad coalition of faith-based groups and 335 major corporations, showing the breadth of support for the legislation.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Fill out the form below to contact your senators and tell them to vote YES on the Equality Act to assure their place on the right side of history!