The Equality Act, introduced in the Senate on April 29, 2025, amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related federal laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity across public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury selection. The bill adds these protected characteristics to existing civil rights laws covering retailers, restaurants, hotels, transportation, healthcare facilities, employers, federal employees, and housing providers, while also protecting individuals from discrimination based on association with someone of a particular sexual orientation or gender identity or based on perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Congressional findings document widespread discrimination against LGBTQ individuals and women in these areas, contending that such discrimination violates constitutional equal protection rights and harms economic security and well-being. The legislation prevents the Religious Freedom Restoration Act from being used as a legal defense against discrimination claims brought under these expanded protections, though it clarifies that gender identity considerations may apply to certain bona fide occupational qualifications. The bill contains no specific funding allocations or implementation timelines in the sections provided.
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