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Equality Act

The Equality Act of 2015 is a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate that if passed would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protections that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex in the areas of employment, housing, public education, federal funding, and credit.

lesbian senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin during press conference Supporting reintroduction Equality Act
Politics

Democrats reintroduce Equality Act as Trump escalates war on LGBTQ+ community

With LGBTQ+ rights under attack by the Trump administration and Republican-led states, Democrats say the Equality Act is more urgent than ever.

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Equal Rights Amendment
Politics

Joe Biden declares that Equal Rights Amendment is ‘law of the land’ in new announcement

The outgoing president announced that he believes the 28th Amendment to the Constitution guides American law.

marriage
Voices

Did the Respect for Marriage Act Displace the Equality Act?

A longtime LGBTQ+ activist contemplates whether perfection really is the enemy of progress.

David Cicilline
Politics

Anti-LGBTQ+ Discrimination Persists in the U.S.: Congressional Report

"The fight for equality in this country will not be over until we address all of these disparities and create true equity for the LGBTQ+ community," says U.S. Rep. David Cicilline.

Liz Cheney
Politics

Liz Cheney Ousted from Congress, Leaves Mixed Record on LGBTQ+ Issues

Cheney lost Tuesday's Republican primary for the U.S. House seat from Wyoming to a Trump-backed candidate.

LGBTQ+ protest march
News

GLAAD Finds Sharp Rise in Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Americans

The findings are disturbing but not surprising, given anti-LGBTQ+ activity in state legislatures.

ERA
Voices

Why Passing the ERA Is as Critical to LGBTQ+ Folks as the Equality Act

Fifty years ago today, Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment, which could help shore up rights for queer people along with current legislation. 

Edward Jones and REI
Politics

More Than 500 U.S. Companies Support Passage of Equality Act

New members of HRC's Business Coalition for the Equality Act include Edward Jones, REI, Honeywell, McDonald's, Harley-Davidson, and more.

Sinema on the Senate floor speaking
Politics

Kyrsten Sinema Gets More Heat Over Her Support for Filibuster

More than 50 Arizona LGBTQ+ activists and allies call on the Human Rights Campaign to urge Sinema to back filibuster reform so that key legislation can move forward.

youth
Voices

Aiyana’s Chances Are Slim, But Congress Can Save Her

While Congress waffles on the Equality Act, LGBTQ+ youth suffer.

Biden
Pride

President Biden's Pride Proclamation Highlights Anti-Trans Violence

Exclusive: Biden officially proclaimed June 2021 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, calling for action on the Equality Act and against deadly transphobia.

mom
Voices

A Plea for the Equality Act From the Mom of a Trans Daughter

Knowing your child faces legal discrimination is a silent agony for many parents.

Business
Business

Over 400 Major Businesses Endorse Equality Act, LGBTQ+ Civil Rights

Dozens of Fortune 500 companies are urging Congress to pass the LGBTQ+ civil rights legislation.

Schumer
Politics

What Senate Majority Leader Schumer Is Saying About the Equality Act

The New York Senator talks about the current chances of the LGBTQ+ legislation -- and how we can help pass it. 

Pride flag
Politics

New Coalition Promotes Passage of Equality Act

The Equality Act would improve "the lives of millions of LGBTQ people in this country and our families," says Kierra Johnson, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund.

trans rights
Voices

50 Years a Scapegoat: LGBTQ+ Community Once Again in GOP Crosshairs

"Immorality," "sanctity of marriage," "men in women's bathrooms," now "boys competing with girls" -- when will Republicans stop exploiting hate against us?

Stella Keating
Politics

Trans Teen Stars in Equality Act Hearing, Lindsey Graham Gets Schooled

Stella Keating testified eloquently in favor of the LGBTQ+ rights bill, while Alphonso David stood up to the South Carolina senator's distortions.

Report card
Media

Transphobic Voices Elevated in Media Coverage of Equality Act

Several media outlets failed to include any LGBTQ+ voices, while some quoted transphobic rhetoric without context, a GLAAD analysis finds.

Craig
Voices

Rep. Angie Craig: The Equality Act Is Personal for Me

The first lesbian mom and wife to serve in Congress explains how the pro-LGBTQ+ legislation will benefit all women.