Press Release

"We stand in grief and solidarity with Asian Americans in Atlanta and throughout the country to denounce racism, violence, and xenophobia."

“The Equality Act would be an important step toward fulfilling this country’s promise of equality for all… There has never been an opportunity like the one before us now to take this important legislation all the way.”

“Day-to-day, LGBTQ+ Texans never know when they might be fired, denied housing, even denied service, just for being who they are. This bill will go a long way to lessening that daily dread.”

“To trans youth in South Dakota, Mississippi and all across the country, trust that there is an entire community of people who celebrate you, stand with you, and believe that you deserve to feel safe and respected.”

As Congress considers comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people, statistical data collected and analyzed by Lambda Legal’s Help Desk reveals that widespread anti-LGBTQ discrimination continues to persist in communities everywhere, in many forms — underscoring the need for urgent action on the Equality Act.

“This rule sends a clear message to all kinds of lenders – from giant banks and credit unions to payday lenders and mortgage brokers – that discriminating against LGBTQ people is off limits.”

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5, the Equality Act. The vote was 224-206, with three Republicans joining all the Democratic representatives in favor of federal legislation that will update existing federal nondiscrimination laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act, to confirm that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is unlawful discrimination based on sex.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today issued guidance explicitly extending the protections of the Fair Housing Act to LGBTQ individuals. Karen Loewy, Senior Counsel and Seniors Strategist at Lambda Legal, issued the following statement:

"This repeal is a call for justice. It is a significant step to address violence perpetuated against transgender women and women of color by the state."