HRC will lead a digital day of action highlighting the incredibly important need to pass the Equality Act and move #EqualityForward

WASHINGTON — Today, on the third anniversary of the Supreme Court of the United States’ landmark decision establishing marriage equality as the law of the land, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, is highlighting the urgent need for Congress to pass the Equality Act — critically important federal legislation that would finally add clear, comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people to our nation's civil rights laws. HRC will lead a digital day of action highlighting the incredibly important need to pass the Equality Act and move #EqualityForward.

“As we celebrate the third anniversary of nationwide marriage equality, the sobering truth is that discrimination is a real and persistent problem for far too many LGBTQ Americans,” said JoDee Winterhof, HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. “In 30 states, LGBTQ people are still at risk of being fired, denied housing, or turned away from a business simply because of who they are. Support for this crucial legislation is broader and deeper than it’s ever been. Momentum is on our side as a growing majority of Americans, the business community, and more than 240 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle support the Equality Act. But in order for us to finally pass this critically important legislation, it’s essential that fair-minded Americans turn out and vote this November to ensure we send a pro-equality majority to Congress.”

Today, HRC will lead a digital day of action highlighting the incredibly important need to pass the Equality Act. Members of Congress, and others will be joining HRC on social media to call on Congress to pass the legislation and move #EqualityForward. HRC will also participate in an #UpChat with Upworthy to discuss the state of LGBTQ equality and how Americans can work together to better support the LGBTQ community.

Currently, 50 percent of LGBTQ Americans live in states where they are at risk of being fired, denied housing, or refused service because of who they are or who they love. The Equality Act would extend existing civil rights protections to LGBTQ people by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally-funded programs and jury service.

Discrimination is a real and persistent problem for far too many LGBTQ Americans. HRC polling has found that nearly two-thirds of self-identified LGBTQ Americans report experiencing discrimination. In addition to having bipartisan support in Congress, 113 major corporations have joined HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act. While the overwhelming majority of America’s leading businesses have already started addressing workplace fairness for LGBTQ employees, these major employers know how important the need is for a federal standard that treats all employees the same no matter which state they live in. The slate of companies endorsing the Equality Act have combined operations in all 50 states, headquarters spanning 23 states, and collectively generate $2.6 trillion in revenue. In total, these companies employ more than 5.8 million people across the United States.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

###