House Passes HR Policy-Supported Equality Act

Published on: February 26, 2021

Authors: Daniel W. Chasen

Topics: Inclusion and Diversity

Less than one week after its introduction, the House of Representatives passed a significant civil rights measure that would add sexual orientation and gender identity protections to federal civil rights laws.

In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that Title VII employment protections include sexual orientation and gender identity.  Yet “legislative action is needed to forestall endless litigation under other statutes,” reads our letter of support sent last week to House leadership.

Some concerns have been raised regarding the potential application of the bill to other aspects of employment law.  As our letter indicates, “the bill is silent as to whether employers may be required to ask employees and job applicants for information of a very private and personal nature.” 

Three Republicans joined all House Democrats in passing the measure.  Now the measure will face a tough battle in the Senate, where it needs to garner at least 10 Republican votes to overcome the filibuster rule.