Dear John, 

As we close out Pride Month, I feel we have had a lot to celebrate. Queer pop-culture representation is through the roof (see: Lil Nas X, Elliot Page, Demi Lovato, Pose, etc.). But we still have some huge hurdles to address when it comes to equity. First up on the Gay Agenda: we MUST get Congress to pass the Equality Act!

The Equality Act is a landmark piece of legislation that would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, housing, health care, education, and more. Even though the Stonewall Riots were almost 52 years ago, we’re STILL fighting for our rights. 1 in 3 LGBTQ Americans, including 3 in 5 transgender Americans, experienced discrimination in just the past year (1). 

It is our duty to fight for our freedom. We can fight for freedom from discrimination, for us and our siblings. Tell your Senators to pass the Equality Act NOW.

Marsha P. Johnson, a Black drag queen and prominent figure in the Stonewall Riots, said: “No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” We can’t rest until we achieve safety, equity, and justice for those who face the most discrimination, and are most marginalized by white supremacy, transmisogyny, and heterosexism. 

So we need your help. It’s past time for comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for our community.

The Equality Act is what we’ve been waiting for, and the ball is in our court. Congress works for us, is elected by us, and must represent our interests. We can’t let them forget that.

Luckily, more than 80 percent of Americans, including a majority of Americans in all 50 states, and majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents ALREADY support LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections! So what we’re asking the Senate to do isn’t even controversial.  

It’s a no-brainer: LGBTQ people should be treated fairly across all areas of life—we should never be evicted, denied medical care, or paid less just because of who we are. That’s why passing the Equality Act is so important.

We, Millennials and Gen Z, publicly identify as more queer than any age group before us! 1 in 6 Gen Z adults identify as a member of the LGBTQ community (2). WE are the future, and we need to make sure Congress updates our laws to help ensure that all Americans, including LGBTQ Americans, can live free from discrimination.

Tell your senators to support the Equality Act today.

LFG and Happy Pride,

Ella Azoulay
Program Coordinator
Generation Progress

Citations

(1) https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbtq-rights/reports/2021/03/15/497158/need-know-equality-act/

(2) https://www.them.us/story/gen-z-millennials-queerest-generation-gallup-poll