EQUITY Act

This bill would set a clear rule for the military: no discrimination within the Department of Defense based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions about who can serve must be based on whether a person can meet general military standards and the needs of the specific job, not on personal traits. The bill’s purpose is to prohibit discrimination in the Armed Forces and ensure people are judged on merit, fitness, and performance .

It also explains what “gender identity” means, covering a person’s gender-related identity, appearance, or mannerisms, regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth.

• Who is affected: People serving now, people who want to join, and anyone evaluated for roles within the Department of Defense.
• What changes: Bans discrimination on the listed traits and requires decisions to focus only on meeting service standards and job requirements; includes a definition of gender identity to guide these rules .
• When: These protections would apply if the bill becomes law.