THE EQUALITY ACT
Ending Discrimination against LGBT Americans in Public Accommodations, Education,
Federal Financial Assistance, Employment, Housing, Credit, and Federal Jury Service
Section 1: Short Title
Section 2: Public Accommodations
Amends Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to add sex, sexual orientation, and gender
identity to the list of already protected classes (joining race, color, religion and national
origin).
Expands the types of public accommodations receiving federal protection to cover nearly
every entity that provides goods, services, or programs, including: retail stores, banks,
and those that provide transportation and health care services. (This expands on the list of
types of public accommodations that was included in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to
cover facilities included in more recent civil rights laws, such as the Americans with
Disabilities Act.)
Section 3: Public Education
Amends Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to add sexual orientation and gender
identity to the list of already protected classes (joining race, color, religion, sex and
national origin).
Section 4: Federal Funding
Amends Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to add sex, sexual orientation, and
gender identity to the list of already protected classes (joining race, color, religion and
national origin) to ensure that entities receiving federal funds cannot discriminate in a
range of programs such as healthcare, child welfare, nutrition assistance, public
education, or financial assistance for higher education.
Sections 5: Employment
Amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to add sexual orientation and gender
identity to the list of already protected classes (joining race, color, religion, sex, and
national origin).
o Applies to same employers as current law, including public and private sector
entities with at least 15 employees, as well as labor organizations.
Does not change the existing religious exemption, so that discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation or gender identity is treated exactly the same as discrimination on the
basis of race, sex, or national origin. The revised statute would continue to allow
religious corporations, associations, educational institutions, and societies to hire only

 individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with their religious
activities.
Amends the Government Employees Rights Act of 1991 and the Civil Service Reform
Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes (race,
color, religion, sex and national origin) to protect employees of the Federal Government,
the Government of the District of Columbia, and other government offices and
organizations.
Section 6: Intervention
Amends Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to add sexual orientation and gender
identity to the list of already protected classes (joining race, color, religion, sex and
national origin), allowing the Attorney General to intervene in equal protection cases
under the 14th Amendment.
Section 7: Miscellaneous
Adds new definitions and rules of construction to Title XI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
(incorporated into the U.S. Code as Title IX) that will apply to all of the titles of the Civil
Rights Act and other statutes amended by this bill. Those definitions and rules of
construction:
o Clarify that where sex-segregated facilities exist, individuals must be admitted in
accordance with their gender identity;
o Ensure that existing definitions of and protections for pregnant women are not
modified;
o Ensure that protections against discrimination for protected classes also apply
when discrimination is based on an inaccurate perception that someone is a
member of a protected class, and also apply to discrimination against someone for
associating with members of a protected class.
Clarifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) cannot be used a defense for
individuals or entities to discriminate on any basis under any provision of existing law
amended by this Act.
Section 8: Housing
Amends the Fair Housing Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected
classes (joining race, color, religion, sex, marital status, and national origin) to ensure that
LGBT individuals have redress for discrimination in any aspect of the sale, rental, or
financing of housing. Does not alter the exemption for religious organizations or private
clubs or require the collection of data on the sexual orientation and gender identity of
applicants, participants or beneficiaries in federal housing programs.
Clarifies that nothing in the Fair Housing Act shall be construed to require the
construction of new or additional facilities except where required by the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
Section 9: Equal Credit Opportunity
Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity
as protected classes (joining race, color, religion, sex, marital status, and national origin).

  

 

 

 

 

 

. Substitutes term "spouse" where the Act currently references "husband and Wife" to
ensure mamed snmeesex couples are fully mcluded

Secti0n10:Jurics

. Amends the Jury Selectmu and Sen ICE Act to add sexual onentauon and gender Idenmy
as protected classes race, color: relrgmu, sex and uauonal ongm) clear

Federal protecuons agalnst exelusmn from sen Ice as ajuml' the courts nfthe
Uruted States or the Court Trade