Equality Act Passes in the U.S. House of Representatives

Posted by Cameron Parkins 

Equality Act Passes in the U.S. House of Representatives

Stand with Trans applauds the U.S. House of  Representatives’ passage of the Equality Act, a landmark federal law that would  protect LGBTQ+ Americans in virtually all areas of daily life. 

The bill would amend existing civil rights laws to explicitly ban LGBTQ+ discrimination in  employment, housing, education, credit, jury service, and other areas, and explicitly extend  sex discrimination protections to public accommodations and federally funded programs. 

A companion bill, SB393, was introduced on Tuesday in the Senate by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Michigan Sens. Gary Peters and  Debbie Stabenow have signed on as co-sponsors. 

Currently, half of LGBTQ+ people live in the 29 states (including Michigan) that still lack comprehensive statewide laws, while opponents of equality continue to file discriminatory  legislation aimed at eroding existing protections for LGBTQ+ people and their families. 

The Equality Act would ensure that all LGBTQ+ Americans can live, work, and access public  spaces free from discrimination, no matter what state they call home. It has broad and deep  support across lines of political party, faith traditions, and geography, with 83 percent of  Americans saying they favor LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections, including 68 percent of Republicans and a majority in every state in the country.