WASHINGTON – Nearly half-a-century after the first legislation to protect against LGBTQ+ discrimination passed Congress, lawmakers will again face a vote on a bill that would provide more protections for the community.
And while some additional protections for LGBTQ people were upheld by the Supreme Court last year, experts say federal legislation is needed to protect the community as a growing number of states are passing laws restricting LGBTQ rights, and a more conservative Supreme Court has signaled its desire to strengthen religious freedom protections.
The Equality Act — sweeping legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity — will soon get a vote in the Senate, and if it passes, make its way to President Joe Biden’s desk.
According to national advocacy group GLAAD 2020 survey: An overwhelming number of Americans, believe LGBTQ people have federal protections against discrimination that are, in reality, not available to them — including protection against discrimination in housing, public spaces and employment benefits.
More:From bathrooms to ball fields, transgender rights advance in wake of Supreme Court ruling
It’s still legal to discriminate against LGBTQ people in almost 30 states said GLAAD communications coordinator Serena Sonoma.
More:How a Supreme Court decision last year is reshaping the legal battle over LGBTQ discrimination
Here’s how the Equality Act would combat some of this, and…
