It's Time to Pass the Equality Act

June 15, 2021 at 05:15 AM EDT

By Brett Pletcher

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At its core, Gilead is committed to creating a healthier world for everyone, no matter the challenges ahead of us. As the Executive Sponsor of the Pride Alliance, I take very seriously the commitment to support everyone. This means fighting tirelessly for equal rights for every individual, regardless of the person’s gender, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. As communities around the world celebrate Pride this month and as the Executive Sponsor of Gilead’s Pride Alliance, I am very pleased to share Gilead’s support for the passage of the federal Equality Act. The Equality Act, which is under consideration in the current congressional session, would amend existing civil rights law to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identification as protected characteristics in such areas as employment, housing, loan applications and education.

Two years ago, Gilead demonstrated its commitment for these principles by signing onto the amicus brief supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in what would ultimately become known as the Bostock v. Clayton County Supreme Court case. While the Bostock case provides much-needed protections to our LGBTQ+ colleagues, friends and family members, the Equality Act would substantially expand the areas in which it would be unlawful to discriminate against people because of who they are or who they love. The bill would also help provide protection to LGBTQ+ individuals currently living in one of the 27 states that do not have their own LGBTQ anti-discrimination laws.

Passing the Equality Act is a necessary step toward protecting members of the LGBTQ+ community – but it is not enough. Gilead strongly opposes the myriad legislative efforts currently underway in many jurisdictions around the United States, which single out LGBTQ+ individuals. Such divisive, discriminatory and harmful bills have no place in a civil society, and Gilead stands with its transgender and gender non-conforming employees, partners and patients in opposition to these bills.

Gilead has a long history of fighting discrimination and advancing equity for individuals and communities across the globe. It is the right and just thing to do. Today is no different; our commitment to our LGBTQ+ colleagues, patients and communities is unwavering, and that will never change.

Read the original post here.

Tweet me: Passing the Equality Act is a necessary step to protect the LGBTQ+ community–but it is not enough. Gilead strongly opposes the myriad legislative efforts underway in many jurisdictions around the U.S., which single out LGBTQ+ individuals. @GileadSciences https://bit.ly/3pZJFwP

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