Policy Update: Your Queer Legislative Debriefing

Anti -Trans Bills

“As of today, hundreds of bills have been introduced in state legislatures around the country that attempt to erase transgender people [and] make LGBTQ people second class citizens. In order to achieve equality, we need those in positions of power at the largest businesses in the country to rise up against injustice and discrimination; businesses that have increasingly, over the years, embraced the inherent benefits of being socially responsible. … Companies cannot rise up and speak out against hate in the streets but remain silent when they see hate being indoctrinated in our laws by state legislatures and in the halls of the U.S. Capitol.”

 – Alphonso David 

Human Rights Campaign President

Pennsylvania- Human Relations Act

Status: in Committee

An act amending the October 27, 1955 ruling, known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act: 

“The practice or policy of discrimination against individuals or groups by reason of their race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, handicap or disability, use of guide or support animals because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals is a matter of concern of the Commonwealth. Such discrimination foments domestic strife and unrest, threatens the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth, and undermines the foundations of a free democratic state.”

Nevada- SJR8A

Status: Signed/Enacted

Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to guarantee equal rights:

“Existing law provides numerous prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of sex and other characteristics. This resolution proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution by adding a guarantee that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by this State or any of its political subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin.”

Wisconsin- SB 362

Status: in Committee

An act prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, national guard, jury duty, and adoption and in the receipt of mental health or vocational rehabilitation services. This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s gender identity or gender expression, which is defined in the bill as an individual’s gender-related identity, gender-related appearance, gender-related expression, or gender-related behavior, regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth or gender identifiers on official documents issued by a federal, state, or local government agency.

North Carolina- Equality for All Act

Status: in Committee

An act to protect all North Carolinians against discrimination in all walks of life: 

“Equal opportunity for employment and compensation by state departments and agencies and local political subdivisions. All state agencies, departments, and institutions and all local political subdivisions of North Carolina shall give equal opportunity for employment and compensation, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, age, disability, or genetic information to all persons otherwise qualified.”