Congressman Steven Horsford Re-Introduces the Equality Act to Provide Historic Protections for LGBTQ+ Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Steven Horsford joined more than 200 House colleagues to re-introduce the Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. With the bill's re-introduction, Congressman Horsford released the following statement:

"Every American — no matter their sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation — deserves the right to live free from discrimination and prejudice," said Congressman Steven Horsford. "I'm proud to join more than 200 House Democrats to re-introduce the Equality Act, which would provide landmark anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ Americans. This legislation was passed in the House with a bipartisan majority last Congress, and I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will follow suit and join us to pass the Equality Act into law."

Read the full text of the Equality Act here.

Congressman Horsford has co-sponsored key legislation and resolutions aimed at supporting the LGBTQ+ community in addition to the Equality Act, including:

• Every Child Deserves a Family Act which would prohibit federally funded child welfare service providers from discriminating against children, families, and individuals based on religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
• Pulse National Memorial Act which honors the 49 lives lost on the June 12, 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting.
• PrEP Access and Coverage Act which aims to expand access and insurance coverage for the HIV prevention drug, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.
• Protecting LGBTQ Youth Act which aims to amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to ensure protections for LGTBQ youths and their families.
• International Human Rights Defense Act of 2019 which would create a special envoy for Human Rights of LGBTI in the State Department that will be used in diplomatic matters defending LGBTQ rights.
• Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act which prohbits state Medicaid programs from covering conversion therapy.
• H.Res.124 which expressed opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals.

Congressman Horsford is a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, which has worked to extend equal rights, repeal discriminatory laws, eliminate hate-motivated violence, and improve health and economic well-being for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Geneva Kropper | geneva.kropper@mail.house.gov | 202-849-0251