As President Trump prepares to sign an executive order tomorrow that would sanction discrimination against Americans based on sexual orientation, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) is highlighting her support for the Equality Act of 2017, introduced by Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI), and expressing her opposition to discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community. Kuster is a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, an organization dedicated to promoting equal protection under the law for LGBTQ Americans.

“I’m deeply troubled by reports that the Administration plans to issue executive orders tomorrow that would allow discrimination against Americans simply based on who they love,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “I strongly support the Equality Act of 2017 because our nation is fundamentally an accepting and open society. LGBTQ Americans should be extended the same protections from discrimination as other protected classes and I urge my colleagues to join me in calling for policies to create more freedom in our nation, not less.”

Congresswoman Kuster has long advocated in favor of equal rights for every American. In advance of the historic 2015 Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality, she joined with over 200 of her colleagues in Congress to submit an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to rule in favor of equal protection in the eyes of the law.

She previously co-sponsored the Equality Act in the last Congress, as well as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), and she has long been committed to passing legislation to ensure that employees cannot be discriminated against in the workplace because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Equality Act of 2017 would extend the same protections already in place for other protected classes to LGBTQ Americans. It would explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, Federal jury service, public accommodations, and the use of Federal funds in Federal civil rights law.

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