The National Women’s Law Center Applauds the Equality Act that Protects the Civil Rights of All People

(Washington, D.C.) Today the House of Representatives voted to pass the Equality Act. The Equality Act will codify basic rights for LGBTQ people by explicitly stating that discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation is sex discrimination under federal law. It will also close longstanding gaps in civil rights law by prohibiting sex discrimination in public places and services and in federally funded programs and strengthen legal protections against discrimination on the basis of race and religion by expanding the public places and services covered.

The following is a statement by Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC):
“Today’s bipartisan vote marks a historic moment and a significant move toward strengthening civil rights protections across the United States. This bill makes it crystal clear that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is sex discrimination and is illegal. Approving this bill strengthens protections for all of us. When this bill becomes law, no longer will a transgender woman lose her job because of employer discrimination. No longer will a child be turned away by a doctor because he has two parents of the same gender. No longer will a woman be refused her birth control prescription at a pharmacy. We call on the Senate to take up this critical bill and bring it another step closer to becoming the law of the land.”

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For immediate release: May 17, 2019
Contact: Inés Rénique ([email protected])