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Writer's pictureMariah Ramage
Jun 22, 20192 min read

Pride: Anti-Discrimination Laws

Happy Pride Month! To celebrate, we would like to recognize those governments that have taken steps to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.



Can I just start with how amazing it is that there are so many countries with anti-discrimination laws that there’s no way I can cover all of them in one little blog post?


 

The United States


The big news in anti-discrimination law right now is the new Equality Act:


“To prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and for other purposes.”

Currently, the laws vary based on state:

  • Employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is explicitly prohibited in 21 states, 2 territories, and D.C.

  • Housing discrimination is explicitly prohibited in 21 states and D.C.

  • Public accommodation discrimination is explicitly prohibited in 20 states and D.C.

  • Credit and lending non-discrimination law covers sexual orientation and gender identity in 14 states

  • Public employment non-discrimination policy covers sexual orientation and gender identity in 31 states, 3 territories, and D.C.


The Equality Act would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, credit, and federally funded programs, among other areas.


The Equality Act passed in the House on May 17th, and now continues on to the Senate.

If it is made into law, it would drastically increase protection from discrimination for LGBTQ+ populations across America.


 

Discrimination Protections around the Globe



Countries around the world are also stepping up to protect the rights of their LGBTQ+ citizens.

Across the Americas, 22 countries and 14 territories have legal discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ citizens. In Europe, it is 44 countries and 6 territories. Oceania has 7 countries and 8 territories with discrimination protections. Asia and Africa are lagging behind, but they still have 16 countries and 11 territories between the two continents that protect their LGBTQ+ citizens from discrimination.


 

This Pride, we celebrate how far we have come, and we look forward to what we can still do to prevent discrimination and protect the rights of our LGBTQ+ friends and family.

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