Democrats in Congress just reintroduced a bill that would ban LGBTQ discrimination, and finally, some good news
Even though most Americans support LGBTQ rights, the federal government still has a way to go. Laws like the Religious Freedom Restoration Act have even made it legal for businesses to turn customers away if they’re not heterosexual or cisgender, and the Supreme Court has stood by companies who have done so. But NBC News reports that yesterday, March 13th, Congressional Democrats reintroduced the Equality Act to prevent anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
NBC notes the Equality Act was first proposed in 2015 after a similar bill was introduced in 1974. If passed, it would add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the list of classes protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to a press release from the ACLU, it would make it illegal to refuse to hire LGBTQ people, deny them housing, or ban them from public spaces. The bill would also prevent the Religious Freedom Restoration Act from being used to justify anti-LGBTQ discrimination (as in what happened in the notorious Masterpiece Cakeshop case). In short, this would be a huge, long-overdue victory for the LGBTQ community.
We can close the gaping holes in our anti-discrimination laws with the Equality Act, so that nobody is subjected to the discrimination and pain that Charlie and Dave felt when they were turned away at Masterpiece Cakeshop.
Add your name now. https://t.co/bIqhRElJ0m
— ACLU (@ACLU) June 4, 2018
NBC notes that Representative David Cicilline, one of 10 gay lawmakers in Congress, was the bill’s primary sponsor in the House. Senator Tammy Baldwin, another gay legislator, was also among those introducing the bill. In an op-ed that Cicilline and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote for The Advocate, they pledged to continue to advance LGBTQ rights even beyond the Equality Act.
"Ensuring full civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans may be inconceivable for some, but it is inevitable to us," they wrote. "Enacting this legislation will shorten the distance between the inevitable and the inconceivable."
TODAY: Looking forward to introducing the #EqualityAct at 2pm! The time for LGBTQ equality is NOW!
— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) March 13, 2019
Currently, the Movement Advancement Project notes that only 21 states and Washington, D.C. have laws on the books that prohibit anti-LGBTQ discrimination. But passing the Equality Act would mean that discrimination is outlawed everywhere in the U.S. Of course, with a Republican majority in the senate, it’s possible that the bill might fail, but the reintroduction of this legislation is still worth celebrating.
LGBTQ Americans deserve equal protection under the law.
LGBTQ Americans deserve equal protection under the law.
LGBTQ Americans deserve equal protection under the law.
LGBTQ Americans deserve equal protection under the law.#EqualityAct— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) March 13, 2019
So, today is particularly meaningful for me in light of what I experienced last summer. I was discriminated against for being a proud transgender woman. I was harassed, degraded, and physically assaulted at a restaurant in downtown D.C. (thread)#EqualityAct
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️⚧️🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) March 13, 2019
I’m #proud to be an original cosponsor of the #EqualityAct, which would put an end to discrimination against LGBTQ Americans. It shouldn’t be legal to fire someone because of who they love or who they are, and this bill changes that. #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/rg3wjYuPw3
— Rep. Katie Porter (@RepKatiePorter) March 13, 2019
Nobody should be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love. The #EqualityAct is a step forward—protecting everyone from discrimination in housing, employment and in the public square. We hope Congress works together to make it the law of the land.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 13, 2019
LGBTQ rights are human rights, and we need our government to recognize this fact. If you feel strongly about this bill, contact your elected officials and tell them to sign it.
