I am deeply thankful to @RepCicilline, @SenJeffMerkley, @SenBooker, + @SenatorBaldwin for introducing the Equality Act.

But you might be wondering: why do we need this? Isn't discrimination against LGBTQ people already illegal?

Short answer: no.

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#EqualityAct https://twitter.com/davidcicilline/status/1362463241063038977

This is understandably confusing because the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015 and banned employment discrimination against LGBTQ people last year. This gives the impression to most Americans that all discrimination is now illegal. In reality: not even most of it.

In most states, LGBTQ people are still vulnerable to discrimination in housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, + jury service.

We're not just talking about the ability to buy wedding cakes, though that's bad enough. It's SO much more.

Take a look at this map.

The states in purple? Those are the only places that ban discrimination against LGBTQ people in every form.

The light purple states permit/ignore anti-LGBTQ discrimination in most areas of public life.

Gray states? Almost every area of public life.

So, an LGBTQ person living in, say, Missouri can't be discriminated against in hiring, but they can be denied housing and credit and proper jury service. LGTBQ students don't have adequate protections in public schools. This is a huge problem. It's the biggest piece of the fight.

As a trans woman, even though I can get married and serve in the military and be protected from employment discrimination, I can still be denied a place to live in these states. If I drive from Florida to NYC to L.A., I will be a second-class citizen for most of my route.

But wait, you say, didn't President Biden sign an executive order last month addressing this?

Yes, but his executive action addressed only federal law. It doesn't apply to state law. LGBTQ people are still not protected from state-level discrimination.

Protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in every area of public life throughout the United States would require an Act of Congress.

Here's the really good news: we already have that legislation, and it's enormously popular with the public.

It's called The Equality Act, and a recent poll from @PRRIpoll found that 83 percent of Americans support it, including a clear majority of more conservative voters.

This is a massively popular bipartisan piece of legislation.

Need more good news? I got you...

The Equality Act is *really good* for the economy. A coalition of more than 335 major corporations brought together by @HRC has come out in full support of this legislation.

Need more good news

The Equality Act *already* passed the U.S. House with a strong bipartisan majority in the last term. Even a number of Republicans voted for its passage.

The only reason it didn't become law, despite clearly having enough support in the Senate, is because McConnell blocked it.

But now Democrats have control of the Senate, and the legislation will *finally* be considered. And yet, despite having some Republicans who support it, it still needs 60 votes to pass because of the filibuster (sigh, I know). So, here's what we need to do...

We need everyone to take a few moments to call both their House reps and their Senators to ensure they know that passage of the Equality Act is non-negotiable for you as a constituent.

We are *so* close to making this happen. We're right there. And we can do it.

It's really easy to contact your Reps and Senators and let them know you support this.

Senate: https://bit.ly/2M3dNI9 

House: https://bit.ly/3ue63ED 

It's so quick. It takes just a few moments.

Let's get it done.

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#EqualityAct