WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 259 Members of Congress in reintroducing the bicameral Equality Act to push back against escalated attacks from the Trump Administration, MAGA Republicans, and state legislatures on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Americans nationwide.

In states across the country, over 850 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been filed so far this year—the most in U.S. history. The Equality Act is historic, comprehensive legislation to enshrine civil rights protections for our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors in federal law.

The Equality Act amends 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.

“Donald Trump thinks attacking gay and transgender people makes him look tough, but Americans don’t like bullies,” said Murphy. “The Equality Act is simple. Every person deserves dignity, safety, and equality under our laws, no matter who they are, who they love or where they live.”

“The LGBTQ+ community is under attack by the Trump Administration’s cruel and callous actions every day,” said Blumenthal. “The Equality Act ensures that everyone, regardless of who they are or who they love, is protected from discrimination everywhere, whether it’s in the workplace, going to school, or buying a house. LGBTQ+ Americans deserve to be free and safe from unjust and unfair treatment, and I am proud to stand with them in this fight.”

Full text of the legislation can be found HERE. A summary of the legislation is available HERE.

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