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John,
We must ask ourselves: In America, should the civil liberties and human rights of the LGBTQ+ community be subject to questioning, debate, or denial?
The answer is an unequivocal NO.
That is why it is imperative Congress enact federal legislation to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community explicitly. The Equality Act represents our best opportunity to cement these protections into law.
This year alone, an unsettling wave of more than 400 anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has swept across state legislatures, seeking to limit and even erase the rights and recognition of members of this community. These bills disproportionately target transgender youth, posing barriers to their access to essential healthcare services and infringing on their human rights.
The insidiousness of these bills is not just in their explicit content but also in the message they tacitly send: that discrimination is acceptable and that the lives, freedoms, and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals are secondary.
Congress must prioritize human rights and equality. Reach out to your representatives and tell them to stand on the right side of history. Demand Congress pass the Equality Act now.
Currently, no federal laws directly and unambiguously protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. This gap in our legal fabric allows bigotry to go unchecked and hinders our progress toward a more equitable society. It means that, depending on where someone lives, an individual's access to employment, education, housing, healthcare, and more can be limited based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Equality Act is crucial legislation designed to affirm and safeguard LGBTQ+ civil rights unequivocally. It specifically defines protections to LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination in education, housing, transportation, medical care, public goods and services, family planning, and even jury service. It seeks to build a framework where all are treated equally, no matter who they are or who they love.
The passage of the Equality Act would send a clear message that prejudice and bigotry have no place in our society. It would demonstrate to the world that the United States, true to its founding principles, continues to strive for equality, justice, and freedom for all its citizens. Above all, it would provide much-needed reassurance and security to the LGBTQ+ community that their rights are recognized, respected, and protected.
However, the Equality Act cannot become law without action from Congress. We, the people, have a powerful tool in our possession -- our voices. We must use this tool to demand action from our elected representatives. It is our responsibility to use this privilege to advocate for those who are being marginalized and discriminated against. Please add your name now.
As a society, we cannot afford to remain silent or passive. Let's keep working to outlaw discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.
- Amanda
Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund
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