Rep. Denny Heck adds name to legislation to ensure full LGBT equality

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) has signed on as an original co-sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation to ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in public accommodations, housing, employment, and other core areas of daily life.

"This law would enshrine what is common sense in the Pacific Northwest, that discrimination has no place in our daily lives," Heck said. "As a committee member of the House Financial Services Committee, I will work to move this bill forward as it pertains to housing and credit rights, and support the passage of the complete bill as soon as possible."

Section 8 of the Equality Act amends the Fair Housing Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes to protect LGBT individuals from discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing. Section 9 amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes and substitutes the term "spouse" where the Act currently references "husband and wife" to ensure married same-sex couples are fully included and not discriminated against during a credit transaction. Changes to the Fair Housing Act and Equal Credit Opportunity Act would be examined by the House Financial Services Committee, of which Heck is a member.

Despite last month's Supreme Court ruling that affirmed marriage equality, discrimination against LGBT individuals remains legal in most states. Today, Washington is one of 17 states and the District of Columbia that offers employment, housing, and public accommodations protections for the LGBT community.

A study conducted earlier this year by the non-partisan Human Rights Campaign found that 63% of LGBT Americans have experienced discrimination in their personal lives. Another study found that one out of every 10 lesbian, gay, and bisexual workers have been fired from a job because of their sexual orientation.

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