Here in North Carolina, most of us agree that everyone should have the freedom and opportunity to work hard, earn a living, provide for their families and contribute to communities. Politics aside, we share those values as Americans.  

The Equality Act is facing an imminent vote in the Senate. This common-sense bipartisan legislation would ensure that all LGBTQ Americans can live, work, and access public spaces free from discrimination, no matter what state they call home. Senator Thom Tillis should be commended for his willingness to work on a compromise on this issue. A vote to support the Equality Act would be a vote for freedom and fairness, and I urge Senator Tillis to join his colleagues in Congress on both sides of the aisle in support of this critical legislation. 

I’m a proud conservative and a former Chairman of the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans. For me, standing up against discrimination is only natural. Conservatives value individual liberty, hard work, and freedom for all. We believe that opportunities should not be withheld based on who you are or who you love. We believe in the Golden Rule – treating others as we want to be treated. Laws that protect gay and transgender people from discrimination are a genuine reflection of these conservative values. 

As a small business owner and a job creator, I know that discrimination not only wrong – it’s bad for business. Years of research show that cities and states with nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people are more attractive to people who drive entrepreneurship and economic growth. The health and success of my business can only benefit from being in a state and a community that is welcoming to everyone. 

At the end of the day, freedom and fairness for all make our country stronger. I stand for the idea that anyone who works hard should be able to achieve the American Dream. Everyone should be free to go about their lives – including shop in a store,  check in to a hotel, eat at a restaurant, apply for a job, and rent or own a home – without fear of harassment or discrimination. Nondiscrimination protections remove barriers to those simple freedoms. 

Many people I talk to about this issue are surprised to learn that there are no explicit federal laws protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination, and that most states – including North Carolina – still lack comprehensive state-level protections. Unfortunately, discrimination is still commonplace for LGBTQ Americans. A recent survey found that more than 1 in 3 LGBTQ Americans faced discrimination of some kind in the past year, including more than 3 in 5 transgender Americans. More than half of LGBTQ people said they experienced harrassment or discrimination in a public place such as a store, transportation or a restroom. 

There is a huge opportunity for bipartisan agreement on this issue. After all, equality is not a Democratic or Republican value, it’s an American value. That’s certainly how voters see it. Public support for legislation like the Equality Act is at an all-time high and polls show that a growing bipartisan supermajority of Americans support protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination. More than 80 percent of Americans favor laws that would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing, including 62 percent of Republicans.

Momentum for LGBTQ equality has been building and America is ready for Congress to pass clear, comprehensive, and secure nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans in all 50 states. 

As a leader of college Republicans and an active participant in our voter engagement and electoral programs, I am proud to have worked on the campaigns to help elect fair-minded Republicans, including Senators Tillis and Burr. I believe our senators represent North Carolina values, and that means everyone, including LGBTQ people, should have a shot at the American Dream.