10.9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.1.

From friendly sea creatures to fighting for equality.

In the next 10 minutes, we'll get the lowdown on what's up in the world.

I'm Bethany Van Delft, and this is the 10 News.

Over the past few weeks, Congress has been involved in a major fight over a historic

peace of anti-discrimination legislation called the Equality Act.

Its focus, equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBTQ community.

First introduced in 2015, the Equality Act looks to expand the protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,

which bans discrimination based on race, religion, sex, and nation of origin.

The new act also makes it illegal to treat people unfairly or differently because of their

sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to things like housing, employment, or education.

Excellent.

The thing is, while the House of Representatives voted in support of it two years ago, the Senate voted against the Equality Act,

so it didn't go forward. Critics argue it limits religious freedom, which has been used as a reason

for businesses not to serve same-sex

couples, for example. But the Democrats who have the majority in both the House and the Senate

are pretty sure they can get it through this time around. And it would be a huge deal if they do,

since Gallup reports that about one in six adults in Gen Z identify as LGBTQ. So, chances

are, this probably affects somebody you know. If you've ever wondered whether you could grow up

to be a professional manatee rescuer. You are in luck. Our correspondent,

Ryan Ners, is about to find out in, that's a job? No way. Since I moved to Miami six years ago,

I've fallen in love with many local animals, like iguanas, which look like

...