WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today joined 45 Senate Democratic colleagues in introducing the Equality Act of 2019 to explicitly ban discrimination against LGBTQ Americans. The legislation was filed simultaneously in the U.S. House of Representatives by David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and 239 additional representatives.

“It is inexcusable. We need to pass the Equality Act now,” said Sen. Menendez. “For too long, LGBTQ Americans have been bullied, abused and discriminated against simply because of who they are or who they choose to love.It is well past time for Congress to stand up, to strengthen our civil rights laws and to make crystal clear that LGBTQ Americans are protected from discrimination.”

Despite major advances in equality for LGBTQ Americans, including nationwide marriage equality, the majority of states still do not have explicit LGBTQ non-discrimination protection laws.

The Equality Act of 2019 would clarify that federal civil rights law prohibits the discrimination of people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The bill would explicitly ban discrimination in a host of areas, including employment, housing, public accommodations, jury service, access to credit, and federal funding.

Senator Menendez co-sponsored the Equality Act in the 115th and 114th Congresses.