Democrats Introduce LGBTQ Equality Act For Sixth Time

Via press release from Rep. Jerry Nadler:

Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, joined Rep. Mark Takano and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries in leading the reintroduction of the Equality Act, landmark legislation to expand LGBTQ+ civil rights in America.

“When I first came to Congress in the early 90’s, Representative Nancy Pelosi and I stood as the lone Members of Congress in the Gay and Lesbian March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation,” said Representative Nadler.

“While we have made critical strides in pursuit of LGBTQI+ equality since then, I couldn’t have imagined in the year 2023 we’d still be fighting to ensure the community’s protection from being denied medical care, fired from their jobs, or thrown out of their homes simply because of who they are.

“As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I was proud to lead the House passage of the Equality Act for the past two consecutive congresses. With LGBTQI+ attacks on the rise, I urge House Republicans to immediately bring the Equality Act to a vote to show the American people where they stand—with, or against their LGBTQI+ constituents who continue to face outrageous discrimination.”

The Equality Act would amend existing civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination against LGBTQI+ people in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service.

The bill would also prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in public accommodations and federally funded programs, while expanding the definition of public accommodations in the Civil Rights Act, strengthening protections not just on the basis of sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics), but also on the basis of race, color, national origin, and religion. Congressman Nadler is joined by every Democratic member of the House of Representatives in cosponsoring the Equality Act.

This marks the sixth introduction of the Equality Act, which was first introduced by now-former Rep. David Cicilline and Sen. Jeff Merkley during the 114th Congress in 2015. The same pair introduced the Equality Act in 2021, but the bill died in committee in the House and failed to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate.

Today, the Equality Act was reintroduced in Congress. With LGBTQI+ rights under attack, it’s time to codify civil rights protections for LGBTQI+ Americans.

No one should face discrimination because of who they are or who they love.

I urge Congress to send this bill to my desk. https://t.co/g872rq2tN4

— President Biden (@POTUS) June 21, 2023

“We introduce the Equality Act today to tell kids across the country who might feel threatened or scared about who they are and how others react to them—that you are not alone.”

— @SenJeffMerkley pic.twitter.com/tCL4wNBccF

— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) June 21, 2023

“Progress cannot be mistaken for victory.”

After passing the Respect for Marriage Act into law,

“We need to get the Equality Act across the finish line.”

— @SenatorBaldwin pic.twitter.com/hjbl8uL1Bu

— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) June 21, 2023

BREAKING: The #EqualityAct has been reintroduced in Congress. At a time when we’re fighting back against an onslaught of attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ people, we need the Equality Act NOW to guarantee equal rights for every #LGBTQ+ person in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/FtLGZWgWSd

— Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) June 21, 2023

Today I reintroduced the Equality Act, my bill to ban discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Right now, the LGBTQ+ community still faces discrimination in employment, housing, education, accommodations and more.

— Jeff Merkley (@JeffMerkley) June 22, 2023

No one should be discriminated against for being who they are.

I’m cosponsoring the Equality Act to finally make anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people the law.

— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) June 21, 2023

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