05/04/2017

Democrats Introduce Federal LGBTQ-Rights Bill

The bill is expected to draw ire from White House, GOP lawmakers

Congressional Democrats introduced legislation on Tuesday that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to other protected classes identified in the Civil Rights Act, such as race and religion.

The Equality Act was introduced simultaneously by 46 Democratic senators and 194 members of the House. The bill would explicitly ban discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in parts of anti-discrimination laws where those protections had not been included previously, including in public accommodations and federal funding.

“The Equality Act builds on the work of those who have struggled and fought for LGBT rights by extending basic civil rights protections that must be guaranteed to every American,” said Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ), one of the main sponsors in the Senate. “We must never stop fighting to achieve justice for those who endure discrimination because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.”

The bill could face a difficult road in a Congress controlled by Republicans. There is only one Republican co-sponsor, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who announced her impending retirement last week. The bill was introduced the same week that the Trump administration was rumored to be considering a religious freedom executive order that would have effectively sanctioned discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

“It is clear this White House will be an obstacle, not an advocate, in the fight for full LGBT equality – including trans equality,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) following the bill’s introduction.

This article was provided to OSAE by The Power of A.