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Statement Re: Introduction of Equality Act, “Historic and Vital Nondiscrimination and Civil Rights Bill…for LGBTQ People”

THE STATEMENT BELOW CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO KIERRA JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE:

“The Equality Act, introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives, is a historic and vital nondiscrimination and civil rights bill that would update existing federal laws to protect people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. As the Task Force nears its 50 year anniversary, it has been as long that our community has advocated for legislation at the Federal level.

Discrimination is still far too commonplace for LGBTQ Americans. Passing the Equality Act would create more protections, for LGBTQ people, including fair access to housing, banking, health care, work, voting, jury service, public accommodation and more would be much needed progress.

We know that the Equality Act has broad and deep support across lines of political parties, demographics, and geography, in particular public support, with over 80% of Americans supporting LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections.

The Equality Act must pass in 2021, and  we call on every single House Member and Senator to vote for it. For decades, our national government has wrongly denied full and lasting federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ people. Yet every federal elected official knows that the patchwork of state laws, court decisions and administrative efforts are inadequate to protect us, vulnerable to political whims. To be protected in one state and losing those protections when one crosses state lines is unacceptable. Patchwork protection is unfair and harmful, and leaves LGBTQ people, our families and our children highly vulnerable, especially when we are Black or brown, Transgender or gender non-binary, living with multiple marginalized identities, with disabilities,  in poverty, as immigrants and so many other situations.

It is not widely known that only 21 states and 330 cities have passed LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections, which leaves half of LGBTQ people living in the other 29 states without comprehensive statewide laws. It is time for our Federal government, now with the support of the Biden-Harris administration to pass the Equality Act and have it signed into law.

Discrimination is a real problem for real people. The Equality Act is the solution, providing fair access to housing, banking, health care, work, voting, jury service, public accommodation and more.”


The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice, and equity for LGBTQ people. We are building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we’ve made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights. For more information go to https://www.thetaskforce.org

Contact: Cathy Renna, Communications Director, 917-757-6123, [email protected]