Lydia will fight for the Equality Act, full federal civil rights protection for LGBTQIA+ Americans in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, credit, and jury service. The bill closes a real gap. Federal civil rights law still lacks explicit, permanent protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity outside the narrow reach of a single Supreme Court ruling. Lydia supports the Act as written, including the provision barring the Religious Freedom Restoration Act from being used as a defense against discrimination claims under the Act. A carve-out big enough to swallow the law defeats the purpose of passing it. Discrimination does not stop being discrimination because the person doing it cites a sincere belief. Lydia will vote for the Equality Act and push Senate leadership to bring it to the floor.