SPLC Action Fund Applauds Swift House Passage of the Equality Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the US House of Representatives passed the Equality Act, 224-206, groundbreaking civil rights legislation that would explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by expanding the definitions of protected classes under several federal anti-discrimination laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

The following statement is from Scott McCoy, SPLC interim deputy director, LGBTQ Rights & Special Litigation:

“We applaud the US House of Representatives’ passage of the Equality Act, which explicitly names LGBTQ+ people in our federal civil rights laws.

“Express inclusion in and expansion of those laws will help end and deter the discriminatory practices that directly harm LGBTQ+ people and their families when it comes to employment, housing, health care, public spaces and services, education, access to credit (such as for mortgages), and all activities that receive federal funding. The Equality Act will also prevent the misuse of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and authorize the attorney general to intervene in federal court in equal protection actions alleging discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“It is disgraceful that until now, LGBTQ+ people were not included by name in these essential protections. We urge the US Senate to quickly pass the Equality Act so that LGBTQ+ people can finally receive the dignity and respect they deserve.”