Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, called on the Republican candidates running for president to tell the American public where they stand on the Equality Act, a landmark federal non-discrimination bill that would finally extend key civil rights protections to LGBT Americans. HBO’s Last Week Tonight reported last night that the entire field of Republican candidates for President refused to answer a simple yes or no question about whether they would support such a bill. The segment also noted that Gov. Bobby Jindal and Gov. John Kasich both weakened non-discrimination protections for LGBT people during their tenure.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton announced her support for the Equality Act after its introduction in July, and Bernie Sanders, Martin O'Malley and Lincoln Chafee told Last Week Tonight that they would support a federal nondiscrimination bill.
“The time has come for full federal equality. We all deserve to know whether the candidates support the Equality Act, or whether they want to continue to live in a country where in 31 states, LGBT people are at risk for being denied a job or denied service at a business because of who they are, or who they love,” said JoDee Winterhof, Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs for the Human Rights Campaign. “The Equality Act is a simple idea, that everyone should have a fair chance to earn a living, provide for their families, and live their lives without fear of discrimination, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Our simple question deserves a simple yes or no answer. So we are asking the Republican presidential candidates: do you support the Equality Act or not?”
31 states across the country lack fully-inclusive non-discrimination protections for LGBT Americans – including many states that the 2016 candidates call home. Among the states that currently lack fully-inclusive LGBT non-discrimination protections are Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin.
In July, GQR’s Democracy Corps Survey found that 59 percent of likely 2016 voters are less likely to support a candidate for president who opposes non-discrimination protections for LGBT people – including 61 percent of Independent voters who say they are less likely to support a candidate who opposes these protections, and 54 percent of blue collar voters. The same survey also found bipartisan support for federal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people. Support included nearly two-thirds of Republicans, and 90 percent of Democrats.
HRC polling in March showed that nearly two-thirds of LGBT Americans have experienced discrimination in their personal lives, and that nearly half of those who have experienced discrimination reported having experienced discrimination in the workplace.
For more on the background of the 2016 candidates, visit http://www.hrc.org/2016RepublicanFacts/. More on the Equality Act can be found at HRC.org/EqualityForward
