Nine state LGBTQ rights organizations announced a new coalition aimed at getting civil rights protections enshrined in federal law before the midterm elections.
But the organizations aren't pushing for the Democrats' Equality Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives last year but is effectively dead in the U.S.
Senate. Nor are they advocating for the Fairness for All Act, which was introduced by Congressmember Chris Stewart (R-Utah) but was roundly criticized by most major LGBTQ rights groups for not going far enough.
Rather the coalition is pushing for new legislation that can be passed in a bipartisan manner, striking a balance between LGBTQ civil rights protections and existing precedent regarding religious freedom.