The Equality Act Passed in The House Today, Now We Must Work for it to Pass in the Senate and Here’s How To Take Action

May 17, 2019 Nina Pena Featured, News

Today U.S. history was made when the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Equality Act! The LGBTQ community has been working toward this milestone since they helped shape the first Equality Act 45 years ago with U.S. Rep. Bella Abzug. Per The New York Times, The bill, passed 236-173, comes as departments across the Trump administration have dismantled policies friendly to gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, like barring transgender recruits from serving in the military or formally rejecting complaints filed by transgender students who are barred from restrooms that match their gender identity.

The legislation, which amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in both the public and private sectors, offering civil rights protections in businesses, hospitals and welfare services. It explicitly states that individuals cannot be denied access to a locker room or dressing room on the same basis.

Here’s the coverage from earlier today provided by MSNBC:

Now that the House passed the equality act the LGBTQ communities and supporters will now take their fight to the U.S. Senate. The National LGBTQ Task Force and Human Right Campaign will gear their attention to building grassroots support and momentum among policymakers and the broader public to advance the Senate version of the Equality Act.

How Can I Help and Take Action?

The National LGBTQ Task Force is kindly asking to give $125, $75, $50 or more right now to keep up the momentum! The Human Right Campaign also has a donation page here.

You can also take action by doing the below initiatives provided by the Human Rights Campaign.

  • Become a Community Co-Sponsor: The Equality Act is a landmark piece of civil rights legislation. Help fight discrimination. *Text COSPONSOR to 472472
  • Find Events Near You: Every day, there are local opportunities to take action on the Equality Act. Find trainings, rallies, phone banks and more.
  • Share Your Story: HRC is looking for LGBTQ Americans who are willing to share their personal experiences with discrimination.
  • Become a Grassroots Lobbyist: This training course will empower you to become a leader and a strong advocate for equality in your community.
  • Email Your Senators: Join us in ensuring your members of Congress support this critical bill by sending a letter to them directly.
  • You can find these tools and links on the Human Right Campaign site located here: https://www.hrc.org/equalityact/.

To learn more about the National LGBTQ Task Force and their initiatives to get the Equality Act passed please visit: https://www.thetaskforceactionfund.org/.

To learn more and support the Human Right Campaign initiatives for the Equality Act please visit: https://www.hrc.org/equalityact/.

I still can’t believe it took the country 45 years for this much-needed Equality Act that will affect LGBTQ communities across 30 states who currently do not practice equality for all. Let’s all take action NOW and help the National LGBTQ Task Force and the Human Right Campaign by donating, spreading the word and taking action in your communities across the nation.

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Source: National LGBTQ Task Force, Human Right Campaign, MSNBC, The New York Times

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