In a bipartisan move timed with Pride Month, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, and Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, have reintroduced a groundbreaking bill to protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination during federal jury selection. The legislation—called the Jury ACCESS Act—would, for the first time, amend federal law to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as protected characteristics when selecting jurors.
That means queer people would finally be placed on equal legal footing with other protected groups, such as women and people of color. Currently, federal law bars jury discrimination based on race, religion, sex, and national origin—but says nothing about LGBTQ status. This Senate bill builds on last year’s House legislation, introduced by Representatives Becca Balint of Vermont and Lizzie Fletcher of Texas. Right now, only 17 states protect gay jurors in state courts, and even fewer protect trans people. The Jury ACCESS Act aims to change that nationwide.
