The “Equality Act” Is Back In The Fight For Federal LGBTQ+ Rights
The Equality Act is making its return to Congress.
This week, a group of congressional leaders reintroduced the Equality Act—landmark civil rights legislation that would provide explicit federal protections for LGBTQ+ people in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, and more. First introduced in 2015, the bill’s return on April 29, 2025, marks a renewed commitment to securing nationwide equality amid a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ state legislation.
Led by Representative Mark Takano (the first openly queer BIPOC elected to Congress) alongside Senators Jeff Merkley, Tammy Baldwin, and Cory Booker, the act would be an amendment of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. It would also prohibit discrimination in areas such as credit, jury service, and federally funded programs and clarify that religious freedom cannot be used to justify exclusion.
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While past versions of the Equality Act passed in the U.S. House in 2019 and 2021, they stalled in the Senate due to filibuster rules and lack of support. This bill being reintroduced again serves as a necessity and beacon of hope in this ongoing hostile political climate.
So why reintroduce it again? Now? For a few reasons. For Democratic lawmakers (those who are LGBTQ+ themselves or represent the communities), this legislation is a declaration of values. It also forces a public conversation, making lawmakers go on record stating which side they favor. Additionally, it motivates civil rights coalitions and keeps the urgency of LGBTQ+ protections visible in the national eye. Lastly, it’s not just about this Congress, it’s about setting up the conditions for the next one. Twelve national civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, HRC, and the National LGBTQ Task Force, released a joint statement: “No one’s rights should depend on their ZIP code.”
Progress continues at the local level. The New York City Council, for instance, recently passed a series of measures expanding access to gender-affirming care and safeguarding providers, reflecting a broader push to protect rights where federal action has lagged.
Despite the uphill battle the Equality Act faces in the Senate, the very persistence of it signals that the fight for dignity is not over, and will not be abandoned. The Equality Act offers not just protection but affirmation that LGBTQ+ people belong, without exception, to the promise of American civil rights.
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