Three U.S. senators have re-introduced legislation in hopes of abolishing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens during the federal jury selection process.

The Jury ACCESS (Access for Capable Citizens and Equality in Service Selection) Act of 2013 would prohibit the practice of striking jurors in federal courts on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to a statement emailed to HuffPost Gay Voices.

The legislation, which was introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), has already been a number of LGBT advocacy groups including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National LGBT Bar Association and the Alliance for Justice.

“We simply can’t tolerate discrimination against a potential juror because of sexual orientation or gender identity," Shaheen is quoted as saying in the press release. "Our country is founded on the principles of inclusion, acceptance, and equality. The jury selection process in federal courts should reflect those principles."

Added Whitehouse: "This legislation will help ensure that no potential juror is blocked from serving solely based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity."

The proposed legislation follows the case of Christopher Lewis, a potential California juror who was described as a "man dressed a woman" by a trial judge in 2000 before being removed.

At the time, a state prosecutor argued that LGBT people "tend to associate more with the defendants" because they are "in a position of being in a microscope all the time and are outcasts," according to the American Independent.

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  • New York

    Since July 24, 2011

  • Maryland

    Voters in Maryland approved marriage equality in the November 2012 election. Initially, the gay marriage bill was signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) on March 1, 2012 but opponents gathered enough signatures to force the issue back onto the ballot. With the passing of marriage equality, same-sex marriage ceremonies are set to begin on January 1, 2013.

  • Connecticut

    Since November 12, 2008

  • Iowa

    Since April 3, 2009

  • Maine

    Maine made history in the November 2012 election when it became the first state to pass marriage equality on the ballot. Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin said, "Voters in Maine came to the common-sense conclusion that all people deserve the ability to make loving, lifelong commitments through marriage." Just three years ago, a popular vote overturned legislation that would have legalized same-sex marriage in the state.

  • Massachusetts

    Since May 17, 2004

  • New Hampshire

    Since January 1, 2010

  • Vermont

    Since September 1, 2009

  • Washington D.C.

    Since March 9, 2010

  • California

    The state initially began conducting gay marriages on June 16, 2008. On November 5, 2008, however, California voters passed Proposition 8, which amended the state's constitution to declare marriage as only between a man and a woman.

  • Washington

    On February 13, 2012, Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) signed a law allowing same-sex marriage ceremonies to begin on June 7, 2012. The process was delayed by gay marriage opponents who gathered enough signatures to put the issue up to a state vote in November 2012. Gay marriage passed on November 7, 2012. The official determination for Washington did not come until one day after the election because of the state's mail-in voting system.

  • Rhode Island

    Gay marriage came to Rhode Island when Governor Lincoln Chafee signed the marriage equality bill it into law on May 2, 2013.

  • Delaware

    Delaware obtained gay marriage when Governor Jack Markell signed the marriage equality bill it into law on May 7, 2013.

  • Minnesota

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/14/minnesota-gay-marriage-legal-_n_3275484.html" target="_blank">On May 14, 2013</a>