If the Equality Act is passed by Congress, 2019 could be a big year for the LGBTQ community and a step in the direction of equality for gender and sexual minorities in the United States.
The Equality Act would legally protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit and the jury system, which would strengthen protection in certain situations.
Before the act, there were three pieces of legislation that covered this topic: the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975, the Race Relations Act of 1976 and the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995.
If passed, the bill could positively affect everyone involved, especially LGBTQ people. The act also states that “equal rights are made for all,†which will prohibit all forms of gender discrimination.
Andrew Phifer, a political science major at the UofM and Stonewall Tigers board member, said he has faith in the Equality Act and thinks it will be passed.
“Everyone deserves equality regardless of the race, religion, sexual identification, and we have to win over the hearts and the minds of everyone,†Phifer said. “We’re people too. We deserve the same rights ingrained in the Constitution as any other person, so we just have to do our best to educate people that this is the reality that LGBTQ community members face. They can be fired or kicked out of a movie theater just for holding hands with their significant other.â€
The Equality Act has been a topic for many years and some believe it will finally stamp the U.S. as an equal country.Â
“Everyone always benefits when more people have rights,†Phifer said. It makes more LGBTQ people more active in society. They can go out and be proud.â€
Although politics may come into play and delay approval of the bill, Phifer is optimistic that it will get passed within five years.Â
Isaiah Perry, an LGBTQ person and a UofM communication and African-American studies junior, said he thinks American citizens have to fight for the bill to be passed.
“I think for the Equality Act to pass there needs to be constant push towards the legislators,†Perry said. “The bill would be a huge step in American history in the midst of the political climate.â€Â
While the act may not come to pass this legislative session, gender and sexual minorities have shown persistence before in winning the battles in legalizing same-sex marriage and repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, which disallowed gay people from serving openly in the military. If the past is any indication, the LGBTQ community will continue to fight for their rights even in the face of opposition.
