Congressman Brown Applauds House Passage Of LGBTQ+ Protections As Part Of The Paycheck Fairness Act

Statement

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) applauded the passage of additional LGBTQ+ protections included in H.R. 7, The Paycheck Fairness Act. The bill includes language that mirrors Congressman Brown's Fair Pay for All Act, H.R.3468, aimed at ensuring equal pay for LGBTQ+ workers by prohibiting pay discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

"While states wage a multi-front assault on the livelihoods of LGBTQ+ Americans, Congress must act to ensure all Americans have a fair chance to earn a living," said Congressman Anthony G. Brown. "No matter who they are or who they love, all Americans deserve equal pay for equal work. I proudly supported the Paycheck Fairness Act as another important step toward true equality and economic opportunity for all."

LGBTQ+ workers are more likely than the general population to make less than $50,000. This trend is particularly significant for women in same-sex couples who, according to the Williams Institute, have a median personal income of $38,000 compared to $47,000 for men in same-sex couples. Wage discrimination is even more drastic for transgender Americans, particularly transgender women of color, who also have to contend with lower pay based on racial inequality in addition to stigma around their identity.

Congressman Brown's legislation would prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of the minimum wage to workers based on their gender identity, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, a sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. Language was included in the base text of the Paycheck Fairness Act.

The Paycheck Fairness Act passed on a bipartisan vote in the Democratic-led House in the previous Congress. However, the bill died in the Senate after the Republican-controlled chamber refused to bring it up for a vote.

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