Shook Joins Business Coalition for the Equality Act

Shook, Hardy & Bacon is among 167 businesses nationally who have pledged to support the Human Rights Campaign’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act. 

The bipartisan bill adds clear, comprehensive, non-discriminatory protections for LGBTQ people to the nation’s civil rights laws. It would explicitly ban discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, jury service, access to credit and federal funding, and would add protections against sex discrimination to laws that had not previously included them.

The firm's vision statement provides that Shook is "deeply passionate about achieving the best results for our clients from the boardroom to the courtroom and sustaining a diverse environment where everyone is respected, feels appreciated, and experiences fulfillment and enjoyment through meaningful personal contributions."

The bill was introduced simultaneously in both houses of Congress March 13, 2019. In the Senate, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the bill, which was co-sponsored by 43 other Senators. In the House, it was filed by Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and co-sponsored by 239 other Representatives.

The Human Rights Campaign has found that two-thirds of self-identified LGBTQ Americans report experiencing discrimination in the workplace. The businesses who support the Act are found in all 50 states, headquartered in 26 states, represent 8.5 million employees across the United States and have a combined revenue of more than $3 trillion.