House Passes Historic Equality Act, Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights

Bullet Points:
• The US House of Representatives voted to pass the Equality Act, a bill that would extend civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ individuals.
• The bill is the first of its kind to pass the House since it was first introduced in 1974.
• The bill will now go to the Senate, where it is expected to face a tougher vote.

On Thursday, June 25th, the US House of Representatives voted to pass the Equality Act, a landmark bill that would extend civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ individuals. After decades of failed attempts to get the bill passed, the House voted 236-173 in favor of the legislation, with only three Republicans joining the majority of Democrats in support of the bill. This is the first time that the Equality Act has been passed in the House since it was first introduced in 1974.

The Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of characteristics protected from discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodation. The bill would also add protections for religious discrimination, making it illegal to deny services or discriminate against someone based on their religious beliefs.

The bill now moves on to the Senate, where it is expected to face a tougher vote. While the House is controlled by Democrats, the Senate is controlled by Republicans, and the bill will likely need some Republican support in order to pass. Despite this, advocates remain hopeful that the bill will pass, as public opinion on LGBTQ+ rights has shifted significantly in recent years.

The passage of the Equality Act would be a major victory for the LGBTQ+ community, and a significant step towards ensuring equal rights for all Americans.