With a U.S. House vote on the Equality Act set for next week, talks between LGBTQ rights advocates and Capitol Hill have begun on getting the legislation across the finish line with Democratic control of both chambers of Congress and the White House, although that has become more complicated with opponents raising fears about transgender kids in sports and Sen.
Mitt Romney’s (R-Utah) newly declared opposition to the bill. LGBTQ rights supporters, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity for greater candor, said they were engaged in talks with lawmakers — including in the Senate, where the major fight will be — in the same week House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) announced a floor vote would take place on the Equality Act.