Maloney Applauds Reintroduction of the Equality Act

Maloney Applauds Reintroduction of the Equality Act
Vote on the landmark legislation expected next week

Newburgh, NY – Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), the highest-ranking out LGBTQ member of the House of Representatives and Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus, applauds the reintroduction of the Equality Act, landmark legislation that would extend federal civil rights protections to the LGBTQ community.

Currently, federal protections in the Civil Rights Act and other federal civil rights laws do not apply to sexual orientation or gender identity. This means LGBTQ Americans must rely on a patchwork of state laws to protect themselves from discrimination in employment, education, housing and public accommodation. Representative Maloney is an original cosponsor of the Equality Act.

“In the year 2021, LGBTQ Americans are still discriminated against just because of who they are and who they love. LGBTQ people deserve the federal protections under this bill to live equal and proud lives – no matter what state they live in,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. “I’m proud to help reintroduce the Equality Act and will fight to get it signed into law under the Biden-Harris Administration.”

The Equality Act would extend existing civil rights protections in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Jury Selection and Services Act, and other federal employment laws to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. Currently, those laws protect people from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, and in most cases, sex, disability, and religion.

The Equality Act is expected to be considered on the House Floor next week.

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