June 21, 2023 — The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ young people, praised the reintroduction of the Equality Act in the U.S. Congress. The landmark legislation, which would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to extend nondiscrimination protections to LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, education, access to credit, jury service, housing, and public accommodations was last considered by the Senate in 2021.
Kasey Suffredini (he/him), Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project, released the following statement:
“We all deserve to live our lives free from discrimination. Treating everyone with dignity and respect — regardless of who they are or who they love — is supported by a majority of Americans across geography, demographics, and political affiliation. The Trevor Project applauds the reintroduction of nondiscrimination legislation and we strongly urge federal lawmakers to work together to codify these protections and bring us one step closer to equality.
“Now is the time to stand up and protect LGBTQ people across the nation and send a powerful message of acceptance as our community continues to face record levels of anti-LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric. We applaud and stand in solidarity with every lawmaker that voices their support for nondiscrimination protections, and helps us build a more affirming and accepting society for every LGBTQ family member, friend, and neighbor — and ultimately, all of us.”
According to The Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, 60% of LGBTQ young people reported experiencing discrimination due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity — and those who experienced discrimination attempted suicide at more than twice the rate of those who did not in the past year.
