National Black Justice Coalition Commends Congress for Re-introduction of the Equality Act, Urges Passage in Both Chambers
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
WASHINGTON — After today’s re-introduction of the Equality Act in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a leading Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“As we celebrate this year’s Pride, we are reminded of how far LGBTQ+/SGL people have come in the fight for equality, but also the stark reality of how far we still have to go to achieve basic human rights, end discrimination, and meaningfully participate in the democratic process. Today’s re-introduction of the Equality Act by Sens. Jeff Merkley, Tammy Baldwin, Cory Booker, and Rep. Mark Takano, reminds our nation that we must secure needed protections. The National Black Justice Coalition joins them in urging Congress to pass this long overdue bill with expediency.
“Passing the Equality Act is particularly important for people who are both Black and LGBTQ+/SGL. At its core, the bill acknowledges that all Black people should be covered by existing civil rights protections provided by laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act. It makes explicit that existing protections should be extended to those of us who are also members of sexual minority communities. The Act ensures clear and consistent federal protections for all LGBTQ+ Americans, many of whom currently live in fear of discrimination because no such laws exist to protect us in key areas including employment, housing, education, credit, public spaces and services, jury service, and federally funded programs and a profile ration of attacks based on race and sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Supplementing the Bostock Supreme Court Decision, the Equality Act would also ensure an LGBTQ+/SGL employee cannot be fired because of their sexual orientation.
“While the bill is unlikely to pass under the current House Majority whose leadership’s platform is erected upon eroding democracy, anti-Blackness, and LGBTQ+ hate, it is important that our community is aware of the politically-motivated suppression of this bill. The GOP is being held hostage by a loud minority who care more about dangerous and divisive rhetoric than defending democracy.
“We commend Congressional leaders who introduced the bill for their continued fight to ensure full inclusion of and protections for LGBTQ+/SGL people, families, and communities. Although this road to equality has been long and filled with trials and suffering, we will not stop until these basic rights and protections are cemented in law.”
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing at 10:00am ET in Dirksen Senate Office Building G50 on Protecting Pride: Defending the Civil Rights of LGBTQ+ Americans.
The National Black Justice Coalition is a part of the steering committee for the Equality Act campaign “Freedom and Opportunity for All,” a national campaign supported by hundreds of the nation’s top leaders in civil rights, faith, education, health care, and advocacy – and over 400 major businesses. Urge your members of Congress to sponsor and support the Equality Act TODAY!
