Friend,

While Pride Month is almost over, it’s so important to recognize that the work we do to protect and uplift the LGBTQ+ community must continue even as June comes to an end.

Currently, 27 states have absolutely no explicit statewide laws protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. That means our government still does not guarantee full, robust legal protections to LGBTQ+ people living in more than half of our states. This heinous fact alone makes it crystal clear that federal protections are urgent and necessary.

The Equality Act is a crucial piece of legislation that would explicitly add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under existing civil rights law. If passed, the Equality Act would establish unwavering legal protections for LGBTQ+ Americans facing prejudice in the workplace, housing, and beyond.

Urge your senators to support and pass the Equality Act, as we continue to advocate for the safety and equality of LGBTQ+ people in the United States.

This day in particular, June 28, memorializes the 1969 Stonewall Uprising — it’s actually why we celebrate Pride Month in June. When New York City police violently raided the Stonewall Inn, a Greenwich Village gay club, patrons of the club and the community at-large fought back using fierce protests and demonstrations. These acts of resistance blazed the trail for the national conversation and movement about LGBTQ+ liberation and equality.

Pride Month is about more than just celebrating, it’s about wielding our collective power to ensure that those who seek to freely love who they love and be who they want to be are not the subject of violence and discrimination.

Send a message: Tell your senators to pass the Equality Act and provide stronger protections for LGBTQ+ Americans at the federal level.

Proudly,

NextGen America