Majority of Americans support LGBT equality law

A survey has found that a majority of Americans support a bill like the pending Equality Act, which would extend civil rights protections to LGBT people.

The independent poll, by the non-partisan Public Religion Research Institute, involved more than 42,000 interviews in all 50 US states.

Nationally, support for a bill along the lines of the Equality Act topped 70 percent, which includes a majority of Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

“It’s long past time for Congress to end a status quo where LGBT people remain at risk in a majority of states of being denied services or fired because of who they are or who they love,” said Human Rights Campaign Government Affairs Director David Stacy.

Currently, 33 states lack clear, fully inclusive LGBT non-discrimination protections, leaving people at risk for being fired, denied a job or apartment, or refused service because of who they are or whom they love.

“Americans across the country get it, and understand that everyone should be able to live free from fear of discrimination and be able to have a fair chance to earn a living and provide for their families, including people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender,” said Stacy.

In addition to showing strong, across the board support for a bill like the Equality Act. a majority in all 50 states support non-discrimination protections for LGBT people.

The Equality Act, which was introduced last year, establishes explicit, permanent protections against discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It relates to matters of employment, housing, access to public places, federal funding, credit, education and jury service.

The act has received support from President Barack Obama as well as companies such as Amazon, AirBNB, Apple, Facebook, General Electric, Google, HP, Hyatt, IBM, Intel, Levi Strauss & Co, Microsoft, Nike, Oracle and PayPal.