The Equality Act contains provisions on discrimination and the promotion of gender equality, as well as provisions on the monitoring of the law and its consequences. An action may be brought before a district court for violation of the special provisions of the Equality Act relating to non-discrimination. Damages may be claimed. The minimum amount of compensation is regulated by law. Sanctions also exist for violations of the obligation to plan for gender equality. Civil rights icon John Lewis called for the law to be passed in 2016, saying, “This legislation is what needs justice. This law is what justice requires. And like the recent Supreme Court decision, it`s long overdue. We are a society committed to equal justice before the law.

We have fought too hard and for too long against discrimination based on race and race not to resist discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. [46] The law provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and promote equal opportunities for all. The Equality Act would benefit many religious people and would not undermine existing religious exceptions in the amended civil rights laws, despite suggestions from opponents of LGBTQ equality.24 Believers would indeed receive new protections against discrimination – for example, protection against religious discrimination in more public places, such as banning the use of “No Muslims allowed” signs in retail stores. In the meantime, religious organizations would maintain the same exceptions they already have under civil rights laws such as Title VII25 and FTAs:26 They would still have the right to favor people of the same religion as long as they do not discriminate on the basis of other protected characteristics. Importantly, the Equality Act clarifies that the Restoration of Religious Freedom Act (RFRA)27 cannot be used as a defence against discrimination claims. This ensures that religion cannot be used as a license to discriminate – including against people because of their religious beliefs – in accordance with the legislative intent of the RFRA.28 President Biden and Vice President Harris are staunch supporters of the Equality Bill and issue a White House statement: “I applaud Congressman David Cicilline and the entire Congressional Equality Caucus for yesterday`s introduction of the Equality Bill in the House of Representatives. and I urge Congress to pass this historic legislation quickly. Every person must be treated with dignity and respect, and this law is a crucial step in ensuring that America lives up to our core values of equality and freedom for all.

[116] [23] Here is a brief overview of what the law would do and its chances of becoming law. With equal majorities in both houses of Congress, there has never been a better time to pass the Equality Act. Tucker Carlson called the Equality Bill “a terrifying program that eliminates women.” Candace Owens appeared on Carlson`s Fox News talk show on the same segment and said about the Equality Act that Democrats “don`t know what equality is.” [89] When House Democrats introduced the bill last week, Biden reiterated his support in a statement: “I urge Congress to expedite passage of this landmark bill,” he wrote. “Every person must be treated with dignity and respect, and this law is a crucial step in ensuring that America respects our core values of equality and freedom for all.” The Gender Equality Act (609/1986) is also known as the Equality Act. The objective of the Gender Equality Act is to prevent discrimination on grounds of sex and to promote equality between women and men, thereby improving the situation of women, especially in working life. Another purpose of the Act is to prevent discrimination based on gender identity or expression. The targeted provisions of the Gender Equality Act oblige employers, authorities, educational institutions and other education and training actors to promote equality between women and men in a targeted and systematic manner. In addition, employers and educational institutions are responsible for drawing up an equality plan. The Gender Equality Act also contains the quota system that applies to state administrative committees, advisory councils and similar bodies, as well as municipal bodies and inter-municipal cooperation bodies.

In particular, the amendments to the Gender Equality Act have strengthened protection against discrimination of gender minorities and the obligations of enterprises with regard to equality planning and wage evaluation. In addition, comprehensive schools have been included in the equality planning obligation for educational institutions. A new National Tribunal for Discrimination and Equality will replace the existing Committees for Discrimination and Equality.