The US Equality Act has been formally introduced to the national House of Representatives by out gay congressman David Cicilline and senator Jeff Merkley.
While the Equality Act was passed by the House of Representatives in 2019, it was never brought for a vote in the previously Republican controlled senate.
The act would add pro-LGBTQ+ policies to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, including prohibiting housing, employment and education discrimination.
President Joe Biden vowed to pass the act within the first 100 days of his presidency, saying it will greatly improve rights for LGBTQ+ Americans.