Press Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) joined dozens of House Democrats today in introducing the Equality Act. The bill, which passed the House in 2019, extends protections against discrimination to members of the LGBTQ community.

“The Equality Act would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “Full and equal inclusion of LGBTQ Americans in our civil rights laws is long overdue. Enshrining protections in housing, employment, education, and credit will ensure equal justice under the law to the many instead of the few. I’m so proud to join my colleagues in introducing this important bill today.”

Despite the success of the equality movement over the years, millions of LGBTQ Americans can still be discriminated against depending on the state they live in. In 27 states, a person is at risk of being denied housing because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ people are also at risk of being denied access to education in 31 states, and the right to serve on a jury in 41 states.

The Equality Act remedies these disparities by amending existing federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment education, housing, credit, jury service, public accommodations, and federal funding.

“I’m grateful that Rep. Blunt Rochester has joined me in introducing the Equality Act today,” said Congressman Cicilline, who authored the Equality Act. “No American should ever be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is critical that we get the Equality Act signed into law.”

President Biden has pledged to make the Equality Act a priority of his first 100 days in office. The House is expected to vote on the proposal next week, according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-05).

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