RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Equality Act protects LGBTQ people from discrimination based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity; and
WHEREAS, The Equality Act will create "one national standard" for LGBTQ rights and non-discrimination protections; and i
WHEREAS, an estimated 13 million people ages 13 and older identify as members of the LGBTQ community; and
WHEREAS, a majority of LGBTQ Americans have reported experiencing harassment or
discrimination; and i
i
WHEREAS, twenty-eight states in the United States have no statutes that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination; and
WHEREAS, The Equality Act prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system; and
WHEREAS, The Equality Act prohibits an|individual from being denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual's gender identity and offers additional protections for gender identity regardless ofthe individual's designated sex at birth; and
WHEREAS, the majority of Americans in all 50 states support non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people; and
WHEREAS, the United States House of Representatives passed The Equality Act on May 17, 2019 in a bipartisan vote of 236 to 173; and
WHEREAS, the United States Senate should follow the House's lead and pass The Equality Act; and
WHEREAS, the President of the United States should support The Equality Act and guarantee equal rights to all Americans; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago and State of Illinois have both been recognized as leaders in promoting LGBTQ rights by Human Rights Campaign and hereby encourage other cities and states to adopt stronger non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people; and
WHEREAS, there are many groups and individuals represented in Chicago and Illinois that should be commended for their untiring efforts to bring equal rights to LGBTQ people; and
WHEREAS, June is Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ community and its history; and
WHEREAS, the timing of this resolution coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a commemoration of brave individuals who stood up for equal rights for all Americans; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council, assembled here this day of June 2019, do hereby support equal rights for LGBTQ people and encourage the President ofthe United States and the Senate to pass The Equality Act and guarantee equal rights for LGBTQ individuals throughout the country; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to President Donald J. Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Jr., Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, United States Senator Richard J. Durbin,
