I am deeply disturbed by the ongoing discrimination and mistreatment of members of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a personal issue to me, as I believe in equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. It is time we take a stand against this injustice.

The Equality Act is a critical piece of legislation that would provide comprehensive protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. However, it has yet to be passed into law. According to a study by UCLA's Williams Institute, nearly two-thirds (64%) of LGBTQ+ people in America have experienced discrimination in their lives (Mallory et al., 2020). This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for legal protections. 

The Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination, has been reintroduced by four Democratic legislators.

Several lawmakers – including Representatives Mark Takano and Senators Jeff Merkley, Tammy Baldwin, and Cory Booker – are behind the bill, which comes amid a nationwide rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment that has led to an increase in violence and threats against the queer community.

"When I was elected in 2012, I became the first openly gay person of color to serve in Congress," said Takano at a Wednesday press conference. "Now, we've come a long way since then, and the progress towards equality that we've made is the result of battles that have been fought for the civil rights of our community over the course of decades."

He continued, "Yet today, we face a wave of backlash in response to that progress."

The bill would expand federal civil rights law to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in areas such as public facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system.

Additionally, supporting this act aligns with public sentiment. A recent poll from PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute) shows that more than seven in ten Americans (71%) support laws like the Equality Act that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing.

By signing this petition, you are not only standing up for human rights but also urging our lawmakers to pass The Equality Act swiftly. Your signature can make a difference - it can help ensure equal rights for everyone irrespective of who they love or how they identify themselves. Please sign now!