LGBT: Anti-Discrimination Bill to be introduced aiming to extend Civil Rights Protection

Over the period of years, the LGBTs (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) have made unsuccessful attempts to stand against the discriminatory conduct towards them at workplace. An earlier attempt was made to introduce the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA); however, it did not yield any successful result. Consequently, a fleet of democratic lawmakers unveiled a bill on July 23, 2015 that will make it illegal to discriminate against LGBT people at workplace, whether it is the process of hiring or eviction on the basis of their sexual orientation.

The Equality Act or the Bill would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal laws.[1] The Bill is being sponsored in the Senate by democrat senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Cory Booker of New Jersey and in the House by David Cicilline of Rhode Island, who outlined the plans in a letter requesting co-sponsors for the bill to the other legislators.

The Bill is aimed to provide an extended protection to LGBT under the Civil Rights Act, 1964 – not just preventing employment discrimination, but also helping in other aspects such as public accommodation, housing, jury services and financial concerns. In short, the bill will provide a more comprehensive approach and is intended at equal protection to the community across America.

Supporters of the Bill contend that it is a major requirement in effect to the Supreme Court’s June decision of legalizing same sex marriage across America. This was evident in Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin’s words[2] –

“There is an unacceptable patchwork of state-level protections for LGBT people and more than half of LGBT Americans live in a state that lacks fully-inclusive non-discrimination laws. The time has come in this country for full federal equality and nothing less.  A federal non-discrimination bill would create permanent and clear protections to ensure that all employees are hired, fired or promoted based on their performance. All LGBT Americans deserve a fair chance to earn a living and provide for their families.”

Besides, in March, a public polling was conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner for the Human Rights Campaign showing 69% voters supported a federal LGBT non-discrimination law that included 72% of Independents and 51% of Republicans.