Skip to main content
Image
Frisco, Colorado

Congressman Joe Neguse Supports Equality Act of 2019

March 13, 2019

Washington, D.C.— Today, Congressman Joe Neguse joins a bipartisan coalition of members of Congress to introduce the Equality Act of 2019. The Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other existing laws to ensure that LGBTQ individuals are afforded the same protections against discrimination as every other American.

“I am proud to support the Equality Act to extend protections for all LGBTQ Americans,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “The need for these protections is clear; all Americans deserve the right to provide for their families, buy a home, and live their life without fear of harassment or discrimination. LGBTQ Americans deserve to have the same protections as others covered under federal law and it is urgent that we pass the protections in this bill right away.”

“As citizens doing the right thing day after day, our LGBTQ+ communities exist with the reality that at any time and at almost any place we will face discrimination. Our identities and our sexual orientation continue to be lightning rods for those who want to keep us from health care, housing, employment and public accommodations,” said Mardi Moore, Executive Director of Out Boulder County. “At Out Boulder County we remain hopeful that eventually and maybe even this year we will have full protection from discrimination at the federal level. We are grateful for the number of Congresspeople who have stepped forward to join the Equality Caucus and this very fact gives us hope that equality is on the horizon.”

"More than ten years ago, Colorado passed protections to ensure that LGBTQ Coloradans are treated with dignity and respect, and it’s time for our federal government to do the same,” said Daniel Ramos, Executive Director of One Colorado. “Half of LGBTQ Americans in 30 states remain unprotected from discrimination when trying to access public services, get a job or secure housing. Our community deserves more than patchwork policies to protect ourselves and our families.”

Support for the Equality Act is widespread among businesses with more than 160 corporations endorsing the legislation. The bill is also supported by 70% of Americans and over 200 national and statewide organizations.

Congressman Neguse is one of 157 members of the House LGBT Equality Caucus in the 116th Congress, the largest Congressional Equality Caucus in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives. He also serves as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, the committee of jurisdiction on this bill.