In a renewed push for comprehensive LGBTQ+ civil rights, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D–OR) and Representative Mark Takano (D–CA) reintroduced the Equality Act on April 30, 2025, with strong backing from Democratic leadership and advocacy groups. The legislation, which aims to extend federal civil rights protections to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity, is once again in the national spotlight amid a record wave of state-level anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
The bipartisan unveiling of the bill was preceded by a joint press conference on April 29, where Merkley, Takano, and fellow Democratic leaders including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D–WI) framed the legislation as both timely and necessary. “No American should be evicted, fired, or denied service simply because of who they are or who they love,” Merkley stated, underscoring the ongoing need for federal-level protections.
The Equality Act seeks to amend existing civil rights laws—including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act—by explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, federally funded programs, and jury service. While the 2020 Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County extended workplace protections under Title VII to LGBTQ+ employees, gaps remain in other crucial areas of public life.
Following the reintroduction, a wave of advocacy campaigns surged throughout May and June. Civil rights groups, faith-based coalitions, and youth organizers launched coordinated efforts including letter-writing drives, town hall meetings, and public education events aimed at garnering support for the bill, particularly in the Senate where it faces a steeper path to passage.
The movement reached a symbolic high point on June 22 with a major virtual town hall hosted in Portland, Oregon. The event, attended by thousands online, featured lawmakers, LGBTQ+ activists, and individuals impacted by discriminatory practices. Panelists recounted experiences of being denied housing or medical care and underscored how the Equality Act could provide much-needed protection and legal recourse. One speaker, a transgender student from Texas, shared how inconsistent state laws left them vulnerable: “My rights shouldn’t depend on my ZIP code,” they said.
This year’s reintroduction of the Equality Act is set against a backdrop of increasing legislative hostility toward LGBTQ+ rights in several U.S. states. According to the Human Rights Campaign, over 850 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across the country in 2025 alone—a historic high. These include proposals to restrict gender-affirming healthcare, ban inclusive curricula, and limit transgender individuals’ participation in sports. Advocates argue that this fragmented legal landscape underscores the urgency of enacting consistent federal protections.
Public support for the Equality Act remains strong. A recent survey from the Public Religion Research Institute found that over 75% of Americans, including majorities of Republicans and independents, favor nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people. More than 600 organizations, including faith groups, healthcare providers, and large corporations, have endorsed the bill, viewing it as a fundamental matter of fairness and equality.
Despite the broad support, the bill’s future remains uncertain in the Senate, where it would require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. While the Democratic majority is supportive, the key challenge lies in securing the necessary Republican votes. Advocacy efforts are now focused on persuading moderate senators through constituent engagement and public pressure. Organizers have planned a series of grassroots campaigns targeting swing states in the lead-up to a potential floor vote later this summer.
Takano, co-chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, emphasized that this legislation is not just symbolic. “The Equality Act is about ensuring that all Americans—regardless of who they are or whom they love—can live free from discrimination and fear,” he stated during the June 22 event. “This is a matter of civil rights, and we must get it done.”
For many, the act represents the culmination of decades-long advocacy, tracing back to the earliest fights for LGBTQ+ inclusion in civil rights protections. If passed, it would be the most significant federal legislation advancing LGBTQ+ equality in U.S. history, cementing protections that advocates have sought for generations.
