EQUALITY ACT REINTRODUCED IN 119TH CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano and Co-Chairs Mark Pocan, Angie Craig, Sharice Davids, Chris Pappas, Ritchie Torres, Becca Balint, Robert Garcia, Eric Sorensen, Julie Johnson, Sarah McBride, and Emily Randall reintroduced the Equality Act in the 119th Congress to ensure explicit nondiscrimination protections for all LGBTQI+ Americans. Senator Jeff Merkley, Equality Caucus Co-Founder Senator Tammy Baldwin, and Senator Cory Booker also reintroduced the Senate companion today.
“Across the country, LGBTQI+ and trans Americans are being targeted and attacked, but we refuse to be cowed or intimidated by their hate,” said Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Instead, we reintroduce the Equality Act as our declaration that freedom and dignity are the birthright of every American. We will not rest until full equality is the law of the land.”
“As our community continues to face attacks from all directions, Democrats in the House came together today to send a clear message: LGBTQI+ people deserve the same protections from discrimination as every other marginalized group,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “While Donald Trump may try to erase our history, we cannot give up hope and must enshrine our equality into law. No matter an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics, they should be able to enjoy life free from discrimination.”
"In America, everyone is entitled to the same protections under the law, yet members of the LGBTQ+ community are still fighting for their rights every single day," said Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. "As a nation, we have to ensure that every single American enjoys the same freedoms and protections. That's why today, I'm proud to be joining my Equality Caucus Co-Chairs in reintroducing the Equality Act to protect LGBTQ+ Americans from discrimination."
"Every American should have equal protection under the law, but in the majority of states across the country, including Kansas, LGBTQI+ Americans lack explicit nondiscrimination protections in housing, education, public accommodations, and other core areas of daily life,” said Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “This kind of legislation saves lives and tells all LGBTQI+ folks, including our youth, that their experiences are valid and that they're seen and heard by their elected officials. I'm urging my colleagues across the aisle to act now — because every day without the Equality Act is another day LGBTQI+ Americans are left vulnerable."
"Full equality under the law. Nothing less, nothing more. That's what the Equality Act means to LGBTQ+ Americans who for far too long have gone without these same legal protections guaranteed to others," said Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. "No one should be discriminated against because of who they are or whom they love. Passing the Equality Act will steer our nation closer to the promise of its founding principles by guaranteeing equality for all under the law. It’s past time to ensure the LGBTQ+ community is protected by our nation’s civil rights statutes and to move our country forward.”
"Equality under the law is not a privilege, it is and must remain a fundamental right,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “When we eventually pass the Equality Act, it will bring us closer to a future where LGBTQ+ Americans are fully and unapologetically protected from discrimination in every corner of our country. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in this historic fight for dignity, justice, and equality for all."
“Our community has been under direct attack since January 20th. The Trump Administration will stop at nothing to try to erase our existence, but Democrats have a vision for securing our rights and fighting back. The progress our community has made fighting for equality will be reversed if we do not go toe-to-toe with this administration every step of the way,” said Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “The Equality Act will codify basic protections and freedoms for queer and trans Americans. It sends a simple message that no American can be denied entry, service, or opportunity just because of who we are or who we love. We will fight harder than ever to pass the Equality Act but it’s going to take all of us to achieve true equality.”
"At a time when the LGBTQ+ community faces relentless attacks, we have to act to make sure everyone feels safe to live openly as their authentic selves," said Rep. Robert Garcia (CA-42), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. "No one should be treated unfairly because of who they are or who they love, yet millions aren't protected in our country. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing the Equality Act to codify equal rights for all, no matter where they live."
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to be the first openly LGBTQI+ member of Congress elected from Illinois and to have the opportunity to use my voice to fight against violence and discrimination,” said Rep. Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Attacks against LGBTQI+ people have been on the rise and we need to come together to do more than just speak out. I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting the Equality Act, which would codify safeguards to protect the LGBTQI+ community from discrimination in all aspects of life.”
“In 2025, it is outrageous that LGBTQ Americans can still be kicked out of a restaurant or denied services simply because of who they are. The Equality Act is about fixing our civil rights laws so that we can protect millions of Americans and their families,” said Rep. Julie Johnson (TX-32), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “This isn’t a culture war issue—it’s a legal one. It’s about ensuring that the same federal protections that guard against race or sex discrimination also apply to sexual orientation and gender identity. I’m proud to help reintroduce the Equality Act because no one should have to rely on patchwork state laws to be treated equally under the law. Equality must be the law of the land.”
“In 2019, I helped pass the Equality Act as an advocate—with support from both Democrats and Republicans,” said Rep. Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Today, as a member of Congress, I’m proud to help lead its reintroduction—because no one should be denied safety, dignity, or opportunity because of who they are. The Equality Act is not about politics; it’s about ensuring freedom and fairness for every American.”
“Queer folks deserve the same rights and protections as every American. We just want to live our lives, love who we love, and help build a brighter future for everyone,” said Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. "But instead of ensuring every American has the tools to build their futures, this administration is hyper-focused on taking away our rights and trying to erase our very existence. But our community cannot be written out of history – because history isn’t made without us, and the future is not built without us.”
BACKGROUND ON THE EQUALITY ACT
The Equality Act would explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics in key areas of life, including employment, housing, public accommodations, federally funded programs, education, jury selection, and credit. Specifically, the Equality Act amends existing civil rights laws by either adding “sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity)” as protected characteristics or, where sex is already included as a protected characteristic, by explicitly clarifying that unlawful sex discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Equality Act therefore strengthens protections not just for LGBTQI+ people but also women, as it ensures nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sex in federally funded programs and public accommodations—two areas of law where sex discrimination is currently not prohibited.
The bill further explicitly clarifies that sex discrimination also includes discrimination on the basis of sex stereotypes; pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition; and sex characteristics, including intersex traits. The bill also expands the list of businesses and services that would be subject to the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s public accommodations provisions, thus strengthening protections for all communities covered by the law, including people of color.
The Equality Act was first introduced in 2015 by Rep. David N. Cicilline and is now led by Rep. Mark Takano. In the 116th and 117th Congress, it passed the House with bipartisan support and with every voting Democrat voting for it.