NCLR says LGBTQ community members are “still the targets of discrimination” and should not “live in fear”

(San Francisco, CA, May 2, 2017)—Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) introduced comprehensive bipartisan federal legislation to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination. The Equality Act of 2017 would make it illegal to discriminate against a person based on sexual orientation or gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, public accommodations, and in other essential aspects of people’s lives. Today, the Center for American Progress released new research that shows LGBTQ people still face significant obstacles with regard to discrimination and that it often impacts their daily lives. In 2016, 1 in 4 LGBTQ people experienced discrimination in some form. In the workplace, 11-28 percent of LGB workers reported the loss of a promotion because of sexual orientation, and 27 percent of transgender workers stated that they were fired, not hired, or denied a promotion.

National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell issued the following statement in response:

“Today, LGBTQ community members are still the targets of discrimination in many essential aspects of our lives, including work, school, housing, and credit. The 2015 Supreme Court decision recognizing marriage equality moved our community forward but does not protect us from being fired from our jobs, denied housing, or other significant harms based on sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ rights must include more than marriage.

No LGBTQ person should have to hide who they are or live in fear of losing a job, housing, or other basic liberties simply because of who they are.

The Equality Act of 2017 would ensure that our LGBTQ community can live freely and without fear, with the full guarantee of equality.”