Congressman Panetta Supports Landmark LGBTQ Civil Rights Legislation, the Equality Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, February 25 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) joined his House colleagues in passing H.R. 5, the Equality Act. The bill would provide explicit, permanent protections against discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, federal funding, credit, education, and jury service. It also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federal funding and public accommodations. “No one should be denied opportunity because of who they are or whom they love,” said Congressman Panetta. “The Equality Act will provide civil rights protections that LGBTQ Americans have gone too long without at the federal level. As a member of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus, I will continue to fight for those of the LGBTQ community so that they have an equal opportunities on the Central Coast and across the country.” While California already has similar nondiscrimination protections under state law, in many parts of the country, LGBTQ individuals are still vulnerable to discrimination. The Equality Act would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other key civil rights laws, to ensure that all Americans have uniform rights and that where you live does not limit your protections under the law.