Over Two Thirds of Americans Support Federal Nondiscrimination Protections for LGBTQ People

Over Two Thirds of Americans Support Federal Nondiscrimination Protections for LGBTQ People

Momentum Continues to Grow for Equality and Fairness

(July 6th, 2022, Ariz.) - A new poll shows strong support among Americans for federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people. In the survey, conducted by the Moore Information Group, 69% of registered voters would support a federal bill to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in matters of employment, education, housing, and in public places, such as restaurants and other businesses. Sixty-two percent said they believed that passing a federal law which protects LGBTQ people from discrimination should be a priority. The survey was conducted June 15, 2022 using online methodology among a representative sample of N=1,500 registered voters in the United States.  The potential sampling error is plus or minus 3% at the 95% confidence level.

The poll is one of many that indicate growth momentum across party lines for federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans. Currently only 21 states and Washington D.C. have non-discrimination laws that includes protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, leaving millions of Americans vulnerable to harassment and discrimination.

While support for LGBTQ nondiscrimination is growing, the window to pass federal protections is quickly closing, and the urgency to protect rights such as marriage equality have never been higher after last month’s Supreme Court decision. That’s why the Equality and Fairness for all Americans Coalition (EFC), a bipartisan group of LGBTQ organizations, faith organizations, businesses, trade associations, civic leaders, and everyday Americans, continues to work towards a bipartisan framework that can break the partisan gridlock that has stalled the Equality and the Fairness for All Acts. 

The EFC framework will not only make real federal civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans, but also secure rights that are currently not in the Equality Act including codifying Bostock and Obergefell, along with repealing the Defense of Marriage Act. The coalition also supports certain exemptions for religious institutions to continue to receive federal dollars for social services and education, which is key to gaining bipartisan support. The Moore Information Group Survey found these exemptions were important to 65% of respondents. 

Over the last few months, the coalition has held over 65 meetings with members of Congress and their offices, bringing the perspectives of over 100 constituents from Arizona, North Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania, among other states.

 “We believe there is a path forward for equality and fairness for all Americans through dialogue, collaboration, and compromise. What we are pushing for most especially is movement. Legislators cannot allow another 48 years to pass without progress since the Equality Act was first introduced.  They must pass and send nondiscrimination legislation to the President’s desk before the end of the 117th Congress,” said Angela Hughey, co-founder of EFC and president of ONE Community. 

“Equality and fairness are not red or blue issues – they’re American issues. All hard-working people, including those who are LGBTQ+, want to do their jobs and provide for their families. LGBTQ+ people want the same thing as everyone else -- the freedom to work hard, access basic services, and take care of themselves and their loved ones without fear of discrimination. It’s time to advance federal protections that guarantee these rights,” said Michael Soto, co-founder of the EFC and CEO of Equality Arizona. 

The Equality and Fairness for All Coalition supports:

• Protecting all Americans in employment, education, housing, credit, jury service and public accommodations, including members of the LGBTQ community.
• Banning conversion therapy, protecting millions of LGBTQ Americans, from harm. This universally damaging practice has been condemned by every major medical association.
• Reducing the minimum number of employees needed for protections from fifteen (15) to zero (0), which would drastically expand the number of Americans protected against employment discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, and religion.
• Ensuring religious institutions continue to receive federal dollars for social services and education.

Learn more about the Equality and Fairness for All Americans Coalition and their bipartisan framework  at: EqualityandFairness.com

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For More Information:

Sophie O’Keefe-Zelman

[email protected]

602-380-1809

About Equality and Fairness for All Americans

The Equality and Fairness for all Americans Coalition is made up of LGBTQ organizations, faith organizations, businesses, trade associations, civic leaders and every day Americans who all believe in working collaboratively to gain bipartisan support for non-discrimination legislation that unites both the LGBTQ and faith community around the core American values of freedom, fairness, and opportunity for all.

As members of this coalition, we firmly believe there is a path forward together in an effort to pass landmark legislation within the next year to bring federal non-discrimination protections to millions of Americans in employment, education, housing, credit, jury service, and public accommodations. This will bring immediate relief to millions of Americans who live in fear of discrimination and have no legal recourse.