Georgia Equality Applauds the U.S. House of Representatives Passing the Equality Act
The Bipartisan Bill Now Heads to the Senate
ATLANTA (May 17, 2019) – Today in a vote of 236-173, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act – bipartisan legislation that will provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Americans across key areas of life: employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service. Thank you to the following Georgia representatives who voted to pass the Equality Act:
Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr.
Rep. David Scott
Rep. Hank Johnson
Rep. John Lewis
Rep. Lucy McBath
Currently, our nation’s civil rights laws protect people on the basis of race, color, national origin, and in most cases, sex, disability, and religion – but federal law does not provide consistent non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Equality Act will provide these basic legal protections for LGBTQ Americans, including the estimated 360,600 Georgians who identify as LGBTQ and lack statewide non-discrimination protections.
“The harsh reality is that discrimination is a real and persistent problem for LGBTQ people across the country, especially in Georgia. The Equality Act passing the House of Representatives is a huge step in the right direction,” said Georgia Equality Executive Director, Jeff Graham.
“Georgia is one of only a few states that have no civil rights law protecting people from discrimination in public spaces, in the workplace, or in housing. And because LGBTQ people aren’t currently protected under federal law, LGBTQ Georgians are especially vulnerable to discrimination. We must ensure no one has to be afraid of losing their job, their home, or their access to education simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
The Equality Act received broad, bipartisan support since its introduction in March with unprecedented support from hundreds of lawmakers, more than 180 national and statewide organizations, and many leading businesses, including the following Georgia-based companies:
The Coca-Cola Company
Cox Enterprises
Delta Air Lines
First Data Corp.
InterContinental Hotels Group Americas
Morris, Manning & Martin LLP
United Parcel Service, Inc.
A growing majority of Americans — 70 percent — support passing these protections. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate.
About Georgia Equality
Founded in 1995, Georgia Equality is the state’s largest organization working to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities and our allies.
###