Contact Congress about H.R. 15: Equality Act

H.R. 15 would make federal civil rights laws clearly protect people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It would apply to work, housing, public places, credit, federal programs, and jury service. It would also limit religious-freedom defenses in these civil rights cases.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Equality Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Financial Services, House Administration, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Latest action on H.R. 15: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Financial Services, House Administration, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects LGBTQ people and others who face sex-based discrimination in daily life. It also affects employers, landlords, lenders, schools, public service providers, online businesses, and government agencies. These groups would need to follow clearer federal rules in the areas the bill covers.

Why this matters: This bill matters because federal protections would no longer depend as much on where someone lives or how a court reads older laws. It would put clear LGBTQ protections directly into major civil rights statutes. It could make rights clearer for people facing discrimination and duties clearer for businesses, schools, landlords, lenders, and agencies. It could also change how courts handle conflicts between religious-freedom claims and discrimination claims in covered areas.

Key provisions in H.R. 15

• Federal civil rights law would define sex more broadly. It would include sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, and sex characteristics, including intersex traits.
• More places and providers would count as public accommodations, meaning places that serve the public. This would include online retailers, health care providers, shelters, banks, salons, transportation services, and other businesses offering goods, services, or programs.
• A public accommodation would not need a physical storefront. A person or provider could be covered if their work affects commerce, meaning business activity across state lines or in the broader economy.
• Programs that receive federal money would have to follow sex discrimination rules. Those rules would include sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Federal job discrimination laws would clearly cover sexual orientation and gender identity. This would apply to Title VII, private employers, the federal government, Congress, and most civil service jobs.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 15

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 15

What is H.R. 15?

H.R. 15 would make federal civil rights laws clearly protect people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It would apply to work, housing, public places, credit, federal programs, and jury service. It would also limit religious-freedom defenses in these civil rights cases.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 15?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 15?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 15 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.