Rep. Ted Deutch Cointroduces Bill Banning Discrimination Due to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Press Release

Today, U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-21) joined Rep. David Cicilline (RI-1) as an original cosponsor of the Equality Act, legislation that would ban discrimination against LGBT Americans in public accommodations, housing, employment, and other core areas of daily life. The Equality Act would amendment the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

"Like so many Americans, I was overjoyed by the recent Supreme Court decision bringing marriage equality to all 50 states," said Congressman Ted Deutch. "Yet we must not forget that in many states, it is still entirely legal to fire someone, deny them housing, turn them down for a loan or even refuse to let them serve on a jury due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. As a Vice Chair of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, I am proud to cosponsor legislation that will extend the historic protections afforded by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to LGBT Americans."

Despite last month's Supreme Court ruling that affirmed marriage equality, discrimination against LGBT individuals remains legal in most states. Today, only 19 states and the District of Columbia offer employment and housing protections for the LGBT community. And three other states have prohibitions on discrimination based solely on sexual orientation.

Only 17 states and the District of Columbia prohibit discrimination for public accommodations based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Another four prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Just 14 states and the District of Columbia prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in education. And only one state, Wisconsin, prohibits it based on sexual orientation.

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