Washington, D.C. — Just over four years ago, the Center for American Progress published a groundbreaking report laying out the case for comprehensive federal protections against discrimination for LGBTQ people, helping to usher in a new era of bold ideas to advance LGBTQ equality. Today, Center for American Progress President and CEO Neera Tanden issued the following statement in support of the Equality Act, a bipartisan measure introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) in the House and Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in the Senate, that would ban discrimination against LGBTQ people in all aspects of life:
This legislation is vital for the millions of LGBTQ people in this country who want to earn a paycheck, care for their families, and live their lives without the constant fear of discrimination. The Equality Act provides comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people in housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, education, and jury service. It is shocking that more than half the states still lack explicit laws to protect people from being fired, refused housing or denied credit simply because of who they are and who they love. CAP has not only illustrated the extent of the problem in stark terms through our research, we have also put forward a common-sense solution that now has broad bipartisan public support. The time has come to modernize our laws to comprehensively ban discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Bringing our laws into the 21st century will ensure that all Americans, including our LGBTQ friends and neighbors, are judged on their merits in all areas of life, from the workplace to the public marketplace.
A majority of Americans — including a majority of Republicans — support LGBTQ-inclusive civil rights laws that ensure all people are treated with dignity and respect. This bill is being introduced as the Trump administration continues forward with its shameful policy banning transgender troops in the military and is a stark reminder that the country needs real leadership and bold solutions to people’s problems, not a manufactured crisis to serve a fringe political interest. We are thrilled at the possibility of passage in the House and we, alongside many allies in the broad progressive community, will work tirelessly to make it law.
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For more information, or to talk to an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at[email protected], or 202-478-6327.