File #: 19-3961    Version: 1 Name: The Equality Act Resolution
Type: Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 6/5/2019 In control: Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee
On agenda: 6/6/2019 Final action: 6/27/2019
Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EQUALITY ACT AND EQUAL RIGHTS FOR LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES 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 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 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 in...
Sponsors: LARRY SUFFREDIN, KEVIN B. MORRISON, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), PETER N. SILVESTRI, JOHN P. DALEY, SCOTT R. BRITTON, BRIDGET DEGNEN, DENNIS DEER, DONNA MILLER, ALMA E. ANAYA, LUIS ARROYO JR, DEBORAH SIMS, BRANDON JOHNSON, BRIDGET GAINER, BILL LOWRY

title

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

 

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EQUALITY ACT AND EQUAL RIGHTS FOR LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

WHEREAS, the Equality Act offers additional protections for gender identity regardless of the 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, a majority of lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives support The Equality Act; 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, Cook County is a leader in promoting LGBTQ rights and hereby encourages other counties to adopt stronger non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals; and

 

WHEREAS, the State of Illinois has been recognized as a leader in promoting LGBTQ rights by Human Rights Campaign and hereby encourages other States to adopt stronger non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals; and

 

WHEREAS, there are many groups and individuals in 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 President and members of the Cook County Board assembled here this Twenty-Sixth day of June 2019, do hereby support equal rights for LGBTQ people and encourage the President of the United States and Congress 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, Speaker of the House Nancy P. Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin O. McCarthy, United States Senator Richard J. Durbin, and United States Senator Tammy Duckworth.

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