Are you ready to build future leaders?The Equality Act
Date Passed: Passed House of Representatives on February 25, 2021, but never passed the Senate
Overview: When the Equality Act was first introduced in 2015, momentum began to build for this legislation. The act would prohibit discrimination against individuals based on gender identity or sexual orientation during the 117th Congress in 2021. It would close the gaps in federal civil rights law that currently do not prohibit discrimination against people who are LGBTQ+. Although there are some Supreme Court decisions which have provided extensive workplace protections to the LGBTQ+ community, the remaining states still do not have an equal level of protection for those individuals, except in the workplace.
Summary: As currently proposed, the Equality Act would amend current civil rights laws and discrimination against sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected classes. The act will expand protections for individuals who are LGBTQ+ in areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federal funding, jury service, etc. In February 2021, the House of Representatives passed the Act, but it is currently blocked from becoming law from the Senate.
Impact on Our Community: If the Equality Act became law, it would provide LGBTQ+ individuals with uniform protections, whether they live in a state that currently has anti-discrimination protections or one that does not. Supporters believe that legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals would lead to more equitable treatment and greater legal clarity, while opponents believe that protections provided by the Equality Act infringe on religious liberties and provide the federal government with excessive authority.
Works Cited:
Human Rights Campaign. “The Equality Act.” HRC, 22 June 2023,
www.hrc.org/resources/equality.
“- H.R. 5, the EQUALITY ACT.” Www.govinfo.gov,
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-116hhrg41175/html/CHRG-116hhrg41175.htm.
admebman. “What Is H.R. 5, Aka the Equality Act? – Bachman Law.” Bachman Law, 5
Sept. 2019, ebachmanlaw.com/what-is-h-r-5-aka-the-equality-act/.