Obama Endorses Federal Equality Act

President Obama endorsed the Equality Act.

Once active, the bill will clear federal nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, public funding, credit access and jury service to LGBTQ peeps.

Here's more from the announcement:

“We are thrilled to hear that the President has formally endorsed the Equality Act. Americans firmly believe that discrimination is wrong. The passage of this legislation would propel the work for full freedom, justice and equality forward. And while as a nation, we’ve made significant gains to close the gap on discrimination against LGBTQ people, we still have our work cut out for us. It is mind boggling that in many states like Mississippi, a lesbian couple in a loving relationship can get married but run the risk of being fired or denied the right to adopt because of senseless discrimination," said National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund Executive Director Rea Carey. "It is now up to Congress to act on this comprehensive LGBTQ civil rights legislation and ensure that LGBTQ people are treated fairly under the law across the country."

White House says Equality Act under review - WATCH

The Equality Act would be a broad sweep of equality for us. However, there's a lot of pieces that keeps this act at bay. During a press conference, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest spoke about the Equality Act.

Washington Blade reports:

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the Equality Act, which would amend existing areas of civil rights law to include gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, is still under review by the administration. Earnest made the remarks during a routine news briefing when the Washington Blade asked if he’s ready to announce President Obama endorses the Equality Act after positive comments from Clinton, the leading Democratic presidential candidate, and Biden, who’s considering a presidential bid. “I’m not prepared to say that yet,” Earnest said. “This is a piece of legislation that the White House does continue to review. There’s significant consequences to this bill going into effect. It has an impact on housing law and a variety of other policies in the federal government, so it’s something that’s still being carefully reviewed by the administration.”

Watch

Brian Brown whines about the Equality Act

From his latest email

"Sponsored by the grossly-misnamed Human Rights Campaign special interest group, HR 3185 is breathtaking in its scope. It would allow gay and lesbian activists to persecute Americans in virtually every area of society — in employment, public accommodations, housing, credit, and a dozen other areas of civil life. Wherever federal law prohibits racial discrimination, it would also prohibit 'discrimination' based on 'sexual orientation and gender identity.' The legislation puts in the crosshairs anyone who believes God created people male and female. It would declare that a traditional view of human sexuality is hateful and bigoted and treat Christians, Jews and other people of faith just as the law treats racists. HR 3185 specifically denies someone who has been targeted the ability to rely on the provisions of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as a defense against the complaint of discrimination.

"Please act today to help us defeat HR 3185. Click here to send a message to your federal representatives asking them to vote against this dangerous proposal that will result in rampant persecution of Americans in virtually every area of civil life. It is imperative that members of Congress hear immediately that the American people will not tolerate the creation of powerful special rights for one segment of society, and allow them to use the power of the federal government to persecute anyone who disagrees with them."

WATCH LIVE Members of Congress Introduce Historic, Comprehensive LGBT Non-Discrimination Bill