Number
190312
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. JOHNSON
Title
Resolution supporting the Federal Equality Act of 2019.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the Common Council’s support of the Federal Equality Act of 2019, which amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to expand the group of prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation to include sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system. This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby for passage of this legislation.
Body
Whereas, The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act of 2019 on May 17, 2019, to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation in areas of public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system; and
Whereas, The bill expands the categories of public accommodations to include places or establishments that provide exhibitions, recreation, exercise, amusement, gatherings, or displays; good, services, or programs; or transportation services; and
Whereas, The bill revises public school desegregation standards to provide for the assignment of students without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity; and
Whereas, The bill prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity; and
Whereas, The bill provides government employees with protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity; and
Whereas, The bill provides that the U.S. Department of Justice may intervene in equal protection actions in federal court on account of sexual orientation or gender identity; and
Whereas, The bill amends the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and jury selection standards to add sexual orientation and gender identity as classes protected against discrimination under such laws; and
Whereas, According to surveys by the Public Religion Research Institute, a majority of people in every state support laws protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in jobs, housing, and public accommodations; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council supports the Equality Act of 2019, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on May 17, 2019, to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation in places of public accommodation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council calls upon the U.S. Senate to vote in support of this legislation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to lobby for passage of this legislation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send a copy of this resolution to each member of the City’s Congressional delegation.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB174331-1
Tea Norfolk
5/22/2019