1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

The Equality Act will amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal laws such that LGBTQ people are treated as a protected class under federal law. It will also strengthen and expand protections for those already designated as belonging to a protected class. This bill was introduced in the House on 2/18/21 by Rep. David N. Cicilline (RI-1) and passed the House on 02/25/2021. It was introduced in the Senate on 2/23/21 by Sen. Jeff Merkley (OR). A Senate Judiciary hearing was held on 3/17/21 and PFLAG Board member Edith Guffey was one of five witnesses, three in favor and two opposed. It was reintroduced on 6/21/23 by Mark Takano (House); Jeff Merkley, Tammy Baldwin, Cory Booker (Senate). Bill number: H.R. 15/S. 5.