Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC released the following statement on the reintroduction of the Equality Act. The Equality Act is federal civil rights legislation for LGBTQ Americans that prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system.
“Equality PAC is proud to stand alongside our champions in Congress as we reintroduce the Equality Act—a landmark piece of legislation that would finally ensure full, explicit protections for LGBTQ Americans under federal law. No one should face discrimination because of who they are or who they love, whether at work, in housing, in public spaces, or beyond. Passing the Equality Act is not just about LGBTQ+ rights—it’s about affirming the fundamental American promise of equality, dignity, and fairness for all,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “Equality PAC has been there every step of the way in the fight to pass the Equality Act—helping elect the pro-equality majorities that passed it in previous sessions and mobilizing the support needed to move this critical bill forward. We know that progress doesn’t happen by accident; it happens because leaders and advocates refuse to give up. As this fight continues, it is more important than ever that businesses, organizations, and community leaders across the country stand with us in calling for the Equality Act’s passage—because equality is not just good policy, it’s good for our economy, our communities, and our future. The time for full equality under the law is long overdue, and Equality PAC will not stop fighting until it is a reality for every LGBTQ+ American.”
The Equality Act has previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives twice. In 2019, during the 116th Congress, the Equality Act passed the House by a vote of 236–173. It was the first time the bill had ever passed a chamber of Congress. In 2021, during the 117th Congress, the Equality Act was reintroduced and again passed the House by a vote of 224–206. In both cases, the Democratic-led House, with strong support from Equality PAC-endorsed members, was crucial in moving the bill forward.
Equality PAC’s mission is simple: to elect more LGBTQ+ persons to Congress — individuals who will have a seat at the table, impact the debate, and humanize the LGBTQ community’s concerns. All the funds we raise are used to elect and re-elect LGBTQ persons to Congress and secondarily support strong LGBTQ community allies who will proudly and unapologetically stand with us in the fight to pass the Equality Act and equal protection under our nation’s laws.
In the short time that Equality PAC has existed, Equality PAC has played an unmatched role in making history for the LGBTQ community, electing LGBTQ leaders at the federal level such as current House Members Sharice Davis (Kansas); Ritchie Torres (New York); Becca Balint (Vermont); Robert Garcia (California); Eric Sorensen (Illinois); Angie Craig (Minnesota); and Chris Pappas (New Hampshire). And in 2024, Equality PAC helped elect Julie Johnson (Texas); Emily Randall (Washington); and Sarah McBride (Delaware).
Equality PAC has been instrumental in winning key races that have determined control of Congress because we know that without pro-Equality majorities, the progress our community has made and the civil rights and equal protections we have fought so hard for, and are still fighting for every day, remain in jeopardy.
