Bob Dold Becomes First GOP Rep to Co-Sponsor The Equality Act

Nearly six month after its introduction, Log Cabin Republicans have yet to officially support the Equality Act. But one Republican congressman from Illinois is breaking ranks with his party and supporting the anti-discrimination legislation.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is applauding Illinois Rep. Bob Dold, who today became the first Republican member of Congress to co-sponsor the Equality Act - landmark federal legislation that would guarantee, permanent protections for LGBT Americans from discrimination in many of the most important aspects of their lives.

"Bob Dold is showing tremendous leadership today by becoming the first Republican to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Equality Act and we're thrilled that he's standing up for our fundamental values of fairness and equality,"said�HRC President Chad Griffin. "Far too many LGBT people - nearly two thirds - have faced unfair and unjust discrimination in their lives, much of it in the workplace. In co-sponsoring the Equality Act, Congressman Dold showed how important it is that LGBT people be able to have a fair chance to earn a living, provide for their families, and live free from fear of discrimination."

Last July, the Equality Act was introduced in both the House and Senate with a record number of original co-sponsors. Since then, several major companies, including Apple, the Dow Chemical Company, Hyatt, Levi Strauss & Co., Orbitz, and Target, have all endorsed the Equality Act.� In addition, the bipartisan legal team David Boies and Ted Olson -- who was a Solicitor General of the United States under former President George W. Bush -- also announced�their support.

Following the introduction of the Equality Act in July, Gregory T. Angelo, executive director of gay conservative group Log Cabin Republicans released a statement explaining why he and his group were not immediately signing on to support the legislation.

"The full text�of the Equality Act was only provided to Log Cabin Republicans late�last night, mere hours prior to the bill's formal introduction," Angelo wrote. "We�will review this bill with our allies in Congress and National Board�of Directors prior to taking any official position. Log Cabin�Republicans does not operate on the timetables of others; ultimatums�are not the way to grow coalitions."

As of this writing, nearly six months after the Equality Act was introduced, LCR has yet to officially support the legislation.