Senator Al Franken (D-MN), sponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), sponsor of the LGBT Data Inclusion Act

Washington, DC – In a discussion led by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tammy Baldwin, Senate Democrats met with LGBTQ leaders following the horrendous shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.

There have been more than 200 bills in 35 states introduced in 2016 curtailing nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans, according to participants.  In response, Senators Merkley, Baldwin, and Booker have introduced the Equality Act – expanding the 1964 Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, at the workplace, and in facilities that serve the general public.