Kuster Helps Introduce Equality Act to Prevent Discrimination Against LGBT Individuals

On July 23, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) joined with 155 of her colleagues to introduce the Equality Act, a bill to ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in arenas such as housing, employment, federal funding, education, credit, and jury service. Congresswoman Kuster has long pushed for equal rights legislation to protect LGBT Americans, and today's legislation would help our country take an important step forward towards protecting their rights.

"No one should be discriminated against simply because of whom they love," said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. "Our country was founded on principles of equality and justice for all, and these principles apply to every American. That's why I was proud to help introduce the Equality Act today, which would ban discrimination against LGBT individuals and help protect their rights as American citizens. I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to join together and support this legislation that is so crucial for preserving equal rights for all."

The Equality Act will amend the Civil Rights Act to illegalize discrimination against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It was introduced today by 156 members, including lead sponsors Congressman David Cicilline (RI-01) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The cosponsors of the bill, including Congresswoman Kuster, spoke today at a press conference about the importance of eliminating discrimination against LGBT individuals across the board in every aspect of their lives.

Congresswoman Kuster has long advocated in favor of equal rights for every American. Earlier this year, she joined with over 200 of her colleagues in Congress to submit an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to rule in favor of marriage equality for LGBT individuals, and in 2012 she signed a similar amicus brief advocating for the Court to overturn the prejudicial Defense of Marriage Act in order to force the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages as legal. Kuster is a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, an organization dedicated to promoting equal protection under the law for LGBT Americans. She has also cosponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), and she has long been committed to passing legislation to ensure that employees cannot be discriminated against in the workplace because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

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