Press Releases

Washington, DC – Today Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) joined her colleagues to introduce H.R. 5, the Equality Act, as an original cosponsor. The Equality Act outlaws discrimination against LGBTQ Individuals in public accommodations, federal financial assistance, education, employment, housing, credit, and jury service by amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other existing laws to ensure that LGBTQ individuals are afforded the same protections against discrimination as every other American.

“Recent years have brought extraordinary progress in the fight for full equality for our LGBTQ sisters and brothers. Like millions of others across the country, I joined with friends and family to celebrate Supreme Court rulings paving the way for same-sex couples to marry. But in the midst of those joyful and historic victories, we knew the work was only just beginning. Though LGBTQ people could now get married, in a majority of states they could still be fired for having a picture of their spouse on their desk, or kicked out of their home just for being who they are. The fact is LGBTQ people are still at risk of discrimination across key areas of life in huge swaths of the country. Let's end this patchwork of protections once and for all and pass this important legislation,” said Rep. Trahan. 

Recent national surveys of LGBTQ people that show 42% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, and 78% of transgender people, have experienced discrimination or harassment on the job because of who they are. Only 21 states have explicit laws barring discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accommodations, and only 20 states have such protections for gender identity.  

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