Civil and Human Rights Coalition Welcomes Introduction of the Equality Act of 2017

WASHINGTON—Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on today’s introduction by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) of the Equality Act of 2017, which would provide nationwide protections against discrimination in housing, credit, education, employment, and public accommodations for the LGBTQ community:

“We welcome the introduction of the Equality Act of 2017, which would provide comprehensive civil rights protections to the LGBTQ community. It is shameful that LGBTQ Americans in many parts of the country remain vulnerable to discrimination in housing, credit, education, employment, and public accommodations. The Leadership Conference stands ready to work with Congress to pass long-overdue federal protections that help ensure equal opportunity and dignity for all LGBTQ Americans.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.