Jenniffer González-Colón joins transcendental legislation that will achieve equality and avoid discrimination
March 19, 2019, San Juan, Puerto Rico- Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón, became the third Republican to cosponsor the Equality Act, legislation that provides non-discrimination protection for LGBTQ individuals under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Introduced by Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), the Equality Act provides explicit, consistent protections for sexual orientation and gender identity about employment, education, access to credit, jury service, federal funding, housing, and public accommodations.
"Achieving full equality for every American should not be a partisan issue. LGBTQ individuals, just as any individual, deserve a fair opportunity to compete for jobs and opportunities on their own merit and to provide for their families without fear of prejudice and discrimination. Although marriage equality is now law, the reality is that LGBTQ Americans can still be fired, evicted or denied services based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. I am extremely proud to join civil rights leader John Lewis, and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to enact the comprehensive federal LGBTQ non-discrimination protections that need to be in place," the Congresswoman expressed, having supported similar legislation with her vote when she was a lawmaker in Puerto Rico.
In some areas, federal law prohibiting sex discrimination has already been properly interpreted by federal courts and administrative agencies to include discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, yet, it has not been consistent in its interpretation.
The Equality Act affirms these interpretations of existing law and makes the prohibition against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity explicit, to provide greater clarity to members of the public, employers, schools, business and others. In areas where sex discrimination is not already prohibited, the bill amends existing law to bar discrimination based on sex, as well as sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Equality Act has the bipartisan support, strong support of the business community, and overwhelming support of the American people—with more than 7 in 10 supporting the Equality Act.
The Congresswoman has been consistent in her trajectory. When the was the minority leader in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, she voted in favor of the now Bill of Law Number 22-2013, that establishes the policy against discrimination on the LGBTQ community in employment, both in the private or public sector.