Congressman Brendan Boyle Fights for Full LGBT Equality

Washington, DC- Today, Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-13) signed on as an original co-sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation to ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in public accommodations, housing, employment, and other core areas of daily life.

"No one should ever be discriminated against or denied basic services based on who they are or who they love," said Congressman Boyle. "The Equality Act will ensure that LGBT Americans are afforded the same basic protections under the law as everyone else. I am proud to help lead this fight in the House of Representatives."

The Equality Act, which is sponsored by Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI-1) in the House and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in the Senate, will amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to make it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The legislation, which Congressman Boyle helped introduce today, would apply to public accommodations, federal funding, education, employment, housing, credit, and jury service.

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. 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.

A study conducted earlier this year by the non-partisan Human Rights Campaign found that 63% of LGBT Americans have experienced discrimination in their personal lives. Another study found that one out of every 10 lesbian, gay, and bisexual workers have been fired from a job because of their sexual orientation.