Garden State Times

NEWARK, N.J. – On June 21, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Representative Mark Takano (D-CA-39), joined by Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), introduced the bicameral Equality Act—historic, comprehensive legislation that would ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans, just as religious, racial, and ethnic discrimination are illegal everywhere in the United States.

The bill introduction comes amid an alarming uptick in discrimination and state-sponsored legislation against LGBTQ+ Americans seeking to undermine the progress made in recent years.

“The flood of legislation in state after state seeking to undermine the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans is antithetical to our nation’s fundamental ideals and only serves to foster more hate, division, and prejudice,” said Senator Booker. “Congress must act to ensure that no person is discriminated against based on their gender identity or who they love. That is why I am proud to join again with colleagues to reintroduce the Equality Act, landmark legislation that will guarantee that LGBTQ+ Americans are protected under federal law and move us one step closer to having a nation that truly lives up to our ideals of liberty, freedom, and justice for all.”

“With hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ legislative measures introduced across the nation, it has never been more urgent and necessary for Congress to pass the Equality Act,”said Senator Menendez. “The Equality Act is about codifying the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community and ensuring we protect them against discrimination in many different contexts, including employment, housing, credit, jury service, and public accommodations. I won’t stop fighting until this legislation is the law of the land and everyone in the LGBTQ+ community is treated with the dignity and humanity they deserve.”

This legislation would amend landmark federal anti-discrimination laws to explicitly add sexual orientation and gender identity to longstanding bans on discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, jury service, access to credit, federal funding, and more. It would also add protections against sex discrimination in parts of anti-discrimination laws where these protections had not been included previously, such as public accommodations and federal funding.

In New Jersey, leading advocates for human rights in the LGBTQ+ community called the legislation urgently needed and celebrated its introduction.

“The reintroduction of the Equality Act is an unparalleled opportunity for our nation to reaffirm its commitment to equality and justice,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. “Garden State Equality wholeheartedly supports this landmark legislation, which will provide comprehensive protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and ensure that they can live their lives authentically, free from discrimination. We applaud Senator Booker, who continues to send resounding messages of inclusivity, compassion, and respect for LGBTQ+ communities across the country as he advocates for this legislation. Together, let us create a society where every person is embraced for who they are, and where equality is not just an aspiration but a lived reality for all.”

“Given the alarming surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country, the passage of the Equality Act is not just a matter of policy; it is a lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth who deserve to live in a world where they can thrive without fear of discrimination, bullying or prejudice,” said C.J. Prince, Executive Director of North Jersey Pride. “By enacting this crucial legislation, we are telling our vulnerable young people that their identities are valued, their dreams are valid, and their future is full of promise.”

“Things are really scary for our community in America right now,” said Peter Yacobellis, Executive Director of Out Montclair. “So I want to thank Senator Booker for his steadfast support and for once again introducing this fundamental piece of legislation that extends the American promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to the LGBTQ+ community. We want nothing more, nothing less.”

“All people regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, should be free to pursue their happiness without fear of discrimination, harassment or retaliation,” said Laurie Litt, CEO of Edge NJ. “Civil rights legislation is a necessary step in achieving this ideal, especially given the divided world in which we currently live. While organizations like EDGE NJ have been on the frontline of the movement providing a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ communities for years, legislation such as the Equality Act is necessary to ensure these freedoms across our entire nation.”

Booker said: “These organizations represent the lightworkers in New Jersey fighting every day for equality and justice. I am grateful for all they do to promote human rights and for sending the message to every LGBTQ+ New Jerseyan—especially those who have felt like they don’t belong or who have been bullied, abused, or discriminated against because of who they are and who they love—we see you, we hear you, we love you.”

Menendez said: “These organizations and advocates represent the best of New Jersey—leaders on the front lines of the fight for equality. I am grateful for their work to make New Jersey a more inclusive and loving place that every person and family can proudly call home and where they can work, live, and raise a family without fear of discrimination. I will always stand in solidarity with them as we fight to secure full equality for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.”

Equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community received a huge boost across the nation last year when President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law, enshrining federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. Further, in 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited as a form of sex discrimination under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. However, this court ruling has not yet been nationally applied to other areas of potential discrimination—including housing, public accommodations, jury service, access to credit, and more.

Many Americans believe that such protections are already explicitly written into federal civil rights law, but this is not the case. The Equality Act would finally enshrine these protections into federal law under all areas of potential discrimination and ensure that these essential protections for LGBTQ+ Americans are not subject to the whims of a changing court. Under the leadership of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the Equality Act passed the House twice.

The full text of the Equality Act can be found here as introduced in the Senate, and here as introduced in the House.

A summary of the bill can be found here.

Original source can be found here.