Equality Act Passes in U.S. House of Representatives‍

Nondiscrimination Protections One Step Closer as Equality Act Heads to U.S. Senate

‍One Colorado celebrates the U.S. House of Representatives which voted to pass the Equality Act today in a 224-206 vote. The Equality Act is a landmark federal bill that would protect LGBTQ Americans in virtually all areas of daily life. The Equality Act will amend existing civil rights laws to explicitly ban LGBTQ discrimination in all areas of life; from employment, housing, education, credit, jury service, and explicitly extend sex discrimination protections to public accommodations and federally-funded programs. One Colorado extends gratitude to the U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, and Ed Perlmutter for sponsoring this piece of historic legislation to further protect LGBTQ Coloradans from discrimination. One Colorado also applauds U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper for sponsoring the Equality Act in the U.S. Senate.

“It is past time to pass this landmark legislation, and there is now a path to move this bill through Congress to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature. The passage of the Equality Act is yet another sign that America is ready for comprehensive LGBTQ protections. LGBTQ Coloradans have strong legal protections in Colorado law, and the Equality Act will add another layer of protections against discrimination. We are excited and ready to work with Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper to pass the Equality Act in the U.S. Senate” said Nadine Bridges, Executive Director of One Colorado.

The Equality Act would ensure all LGBTQ Americans can live, work, and access public spaces free from discrimination, no matter what state they call home. It has broad and deep support across lines of political party, faith traditions, and geography, with 83 percent of Americans saying they favor LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections, including 68 percent of Republicans and a majority in every state in the country.

“Last year, Coloradans overwhelmingly voted for the most pro-equality ticket in U.S. history with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The work of countless activists, organizations, and volunteers at One Colorado made it possible for Colorado to add +2 votes for the Equality Act in a pro-equality U.S. Senator in 2020, and a pro-equality U.S. Representative in 2018. This is a reminder that one's involvement in elections - local, state, and federal - makes a difference” said Branden Shafer, Organizing and Political Manager.