What is Equality Act?

The Equality Act of 2010 is a law to protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability or age. Discrimination is prohibited in both public and private sectors. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees as well as labor organizations and employment agencies. However, this law does not apply to businesses with less than 15 employees unless they are engaged in interstate commerce or have gross revenues of $500,000 per year.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces this law by filing lawsuits on behalf of aggrieved individuals and issuing orders requiring employers to stop discriminating against people because of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. The Department of Justice can also bring lawsuits against private employers who violate this law.
In effect the Equality Act is a proposed law in the United States that would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to add protections against discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. The bill, which also creates a private right of action for individuals who have been subjected to discrimination, was first introduced in Congress in July 2019 by Senator Jeff Merkley.