Senator Jeff Merkley on the Equality Act and Attacks on LGBTQ+ Americans

Reintroduction of the Equality Act

• ☀️ The Equality Act is being reintroduced to fight for equality, opportunity, and freedom for all Americans.
• 🔑 Freedom is defined as the right to participate fully in national life, live authentically without fear, and be treated equally.

Current Contraction of Freedom

• ⚠️ Over 850 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been filed in state legislatures this year, a record number.
• 🚫 The current administration is accused of trying to erase and endanger LGBTQ+ Americans by greenlighting discrimination in healthcare, housing, and access to identity documents.
• 🏳️‍⚧️ Transgender Americans are facing particularly vicious attacks, including expulsion from the military.

The Purpose of the Equality Act

• 🤝 The Equality Act aims to tell LGBTQ+ individuals they are not alone and have the right to participate fully in national life.
• 🌟 It assures LGBTQ+ youth that they will be supported in ending prejudice, discrimination, and bullying.
• ⚖️ The Act will ensure non-discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, education, housing, financial contracts, jury duty, and public accommodations.

Call to Action

• 🗣️ Discrimination is wrong, and equality and opportunity are right.
• ✊ The speaker, alongside Senate and House champions and partner organizations, pledges to continue fighting until all LGBTQ+ Americans are treated as equals under the law.