PASS THE EQUALITY ACT NOW
QUICK READ: Violence and anti-gay legislation have increased dramatically. Congress must pass the stalled Equality Act without further delay.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
There’s been a growing backlash against the LGBTQ+ community, with attacks targeting its most vulnerable members—younger people and gays of color. Violence and threats against the queer community have also increased, and school hate crimes are up.
In 2023, 500+ state bills were introduced limiting their access to public bathrooms and gender-affirming health care, precluding teachers from using their pronouns, and excluding them from sports.
If elected, Trump would roll back the rights of millions of LGBTQ+ people, cut funding for “transgender insanity,” and, from day one, instruct all federal agencies to cease gender transitions.
The Biden administration, by contrast, stands in “solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people. . .as they seek to live full lives free from violence and discrimination.”
The Equality Act (HR.5/S.393), which expands federal civil rights laws to protect discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public spaces and services, like education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system, was reintroduced in June 2023 and has been sitting in congressional committees ever since, despite being cosponsored by 50 Senators and 216 Representatives, is supported by more than 70% of Americans.
It is long past time to turn this historic legislation into law.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have the right to live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Equality Act (S.5), but it is long past time to turn this historic legislation into law. As your constituent, I demand that you spread this message and that you work to bring the Equality Act to the floor of the Senate for an immediate vote.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have the right to live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Equality Act (S.5), but it is long past time to turn this historic legislation into law. As your constituent, I demand that you spread this message and that you work to bring the Equality Act to the floor of the Senate for an immediate vote.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have the right to live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. As your constituent, I demand that you spread this message and that you work to bring the Equality Act (S.5) to the floor of the Senate for an immediate vote.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have the right to live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Equality Act (HR.15), but it is long past time to turn this historic legislation into law. As your constituent, I demand that you spread this message and that you work to bring the Equality Act to the floor of the House for an immediate vote.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have the right to live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. As your constituent, I demand that you spread this message and that you work to bring the Equality Act (HR.15) to the floor of the House for an immediate vote.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have the right to live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Equality Act (HR.15), but it is long past time to turn this historic legislation into law. As your constituent, I demand that you spread this message and that you work to bring the Equality Act to the floor of the House for an immediate vote.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have the right to live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Equality Act (HR.15), but it is long past time to turn this historic legislation into law. As your constituent, I demand that you spread this message and that you work to bring the Equality Act to the floor of the House for an immediate vote.
SCRIPT FOR LORI CHAVEZ-DEREMER (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have the right to live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. As your constituent, I demand that you spread this message and that you work to bring the Equality Act (HR.15) to the floor of the House for an immediate vote.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have the right to live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Equality Act (HR.15), but it is long past time to turn this historic legislation into law. As your constituent, I demand that you spread this message and that you work to bring the Equality Act to the floor of the House for an immediate vote.
ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.
Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
