The Episcopal Church believes that God is love, and that God’s love extends to all LGBTQ+ people. In 2021, Executive Council affirmed that “over the course of more than 40 years, the Episcopal Church has prayed, studied, and declared the blessing that LGBTQ people are and always have been in the Church" (1976-A071). As Episcopalians, we celebrate the shining light that LGBTQ+ people bring to our church and our society. We also advocate for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in all aspects of society.
The United States has made tremendous strides in recent history toward protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people. In 2022, Congress passed the Respect for Marriage Act, which repealed the discriminatory so-called Defense of Marriage Act, in “the most pro-LGBTQ vote in Congressional history.” Recent Supreme Court precedents have also recognized the right to protection from employment discrimination for LGBTQ+ people. We laud these actions. Yet much more needs to be done.
Through efforts in state legislatures, the rights of LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender people, are under increasing threat. LGBTQ+ people can and do face discrimination in housing, access to credit, healthcare, public accommodations, and education. A recent report found that in 2024, over a third of LGBTQIA2S+ people experienced discrimination.
The Equality Act (H.R.15/S.1503) clarifies that this type of discrimination violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and would, for the first time, explicitly protect the civil rights of LGBTQIA2S+ people in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and more.
Contact your Senators and Representative and urge them to support the Equality Act.
Please remember, we encourage you to edit the draft message to Congress to add anything unique and personal to you. We recommend keeping any additions as short as possible as some Congressional office systems have word limits.
We encourage you to continue your celebration using the Pride resources from The Episcopal Church.
Additional Resources:
- The National State of Emergency Facing the Transgender Community in the United States - Human Rights Campaign
- The LGBTQI+ Community Reported High Rates of Discrimination in 2024 - Center for American Progress
Episcopal Church Resolutions:
2022-D066: Advocate for Access to Gender Affirming Care
2021-MW 040: Renewed Commitment to LGBTQ+ Equality
2018-C022: Support End of Discrimination Against Transgender and Non-Binary People
EXC062016.08: Support for Civil Rights of Transgender People
2009-D012: Support Laws that Prohibit Discrimination Based on Gender Identity
2006-A095: Reaffirm Support of Gay and Lesbian Persons
1976-A071: Support the Right of Homosexuals to Equal Protection of the Law