The LGBTQ+ community is one of the only populations that does not have Federal protection against discrimination. While 22 states explicitly have legal protection against LGBTQ+ housing discrimination, an almost equal amount of 20 states offer no protection. There are 13 states who have hate crime laws that don’t include the LGBTQ+ community. An overwhelming 35 states still allow the gay or trans panic defense, which allows defendant in court to blame the victim.
In 2015, the supreme court made gay marriage legal, but 11 states still give adoption agencies the right to turn potential LGBTQ+ parents away. In 2020, the supreme court ruled that employment discrimination is prohibited under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This was a huge victory, but it is not enough. The LGBTQ+ community has been producing bills for equality since the 1970’s. It is time for a Federal Law to protect this community against discrimination.
The H.R. 5 Equality Act would prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This includes prohibiting discrimination in education, housing, federal funding, employment, and within public accommodations. Under this bill, public accommodations include giving the trans community the right to access bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. It would also prohibit goods, services, or medical care being denied based on someone’s sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Currently, the Equality Act is being stalled in the Senate due to a lack of Republican support.
Write to your Senators today and tell them to represent you by supporting the Equality Act.