The Equality Act would finally protect LGBTQ+ people in every state from discrimination in areas like housing, education, public spaces (like restaurants), government-funded programs (like disaster relief), and more. Right now, laws protecting LGBTQ+ people can change just by crossing a state border. For example, a lesbian woman who travels from her home in Seattle to a work conference in Houston can be kicked out of a bar or denied a taxi as soon as she lands just because of who she is. No one’s civil rights should depend on what zip code they live or travel in!
Passing the Equality Act also strengthens civil rights protections for women, people of color, and people of faith (especially minority faiths). It would ensure that women cannot be charged more than men by a dry cleaner for laundering a shirt, that taxis and ride-sharing services cannot refuse service to Black people or other communities of color, and a financial planner cannot refuse to work for someone because he disagrees with their religion. The Equality Act is for everyone!
For the first time in over a decade, our country has a real chance to protect LGBTQ+ Americans, and expand civil rights for everyone, by passing the Equality Act. The Equality Act passed the House and has the full support of President Biden. The last hurdle: the Senate.
As a resident of a key state where your Senator is still undecided on supporting the Equality Act, your voice is integral to this effort. It’s all hands on deck to share our stories and let them know why the Equality Act is so important.
TAKE ACTION
On April 21, 2021, please join the Caribbean Equality Project and other LGBTQ+ groups in a Virtual Lobby Day to Zoom with your Senator’s office. Your story is important. You can sign up here.
Our team provides training before you attend and Hosts during the visit to guide the meeting and support each of you there. We make sure you’re prepared and empowered to show your support for the Equality Act and share your story. Please join us on April 21st and help us get this across the finish line!
The Caribbean Equality Project is partnering with NEAT to take action by telling your senators to support the Equality Act. It's #EqualityTime. Tell your senators to pass federal LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections. Write your Senator here!
What's the Problem?
Many Americans are shocked to learn that despite significant progress, 29 states do not currently have explicit protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) Americans from discrimination. This patchwork of laws across the country leaves them vulnerable to being refused service at a restaurant, declined to pick up by a car service like Uber, denied by a lawyer or bank, or kicked out of a government-funded homeless shelter simply because of who they are. And the need for these protections is clear — nearly 2/3 of LGBTQ+ Americans report having experienced discrimination in their personal lives.
Our nation provides civil rights protections to people on the basis of race, color, national origin, and (in most cases) sex, disability, and religion. But they do not explicitly provide non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Everyone should have a fair chance to provide a home for their families and access essential services without fear of harassment or discrimination.
What's the Solution?
It's time for our leaders to update existing civil rights protections to provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people across key areas of life including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.
Decades of history show that federal civil rights protections are effective in decreasing discrimination because they provide strong remedies targeted to specific vulnerable groups. By explicitly including sexual orientation and gender identity, LGBTQ+ people will finally be afforded the exact same protections as other covered characteristics at the federal level.
Who Supports This Effort?
The nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) found that nationally, support for these types of LGBTQ+ protections topped 70%, which includes a majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. They have also been endorsed by more than 600 organizations, including civil rights, education, health care, and faith-based organizations as well as a group of more than 320 major companies with operations in all 50 states, headquarters spanning 33 states, and a collective revenue of $5.7 trillion. In total, these companies employ more than 12.3 million people across the United States. More than 60 business associations including the Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce have also declared their support.
Is This Just for LGBTQ+ People?
No! Shockingly, there are no federal protections for people of color, women, immigrants, and people of minority faiths from being denied service and otherwise discriminated against in retail stores, shopping malls, and similar places. And women are also not protected from discrimination in government services and federally funded programs. Depending on how existing civil rights protections are updated, they could both extend those vital protections and ensure that LGBTQ+ people are protected from discrimination in these and other areas.
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