FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE
MediaContacts:
PaulGuequierre
Human Rights Campaign
Casey Pick
Log Cabin Republicans
CallaRongerude
Movement Advancement Project
Jerame Davis
National Stonewall Democrats
DenisDison
Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute
New Report Outlines Wide-SweepingInequalities Faced by LGBT Americans
As general election looms, publicationdetails the need for critical federal protections
WASHINGTON,D.C., SEPTEMBER 12, 2012 — With the presidential election a mere two monthsaway, the stakes are high for the estimated nine million lesbian, gay, bisexualand transgender (LGBT) Americans whose daily lives are limited by a lack offederal protections. According to a new publication released today, most LGBTAmericans live in a two-tier system where they must navigate conflicting statelaws with the federal government’s refusal to offer the most basic securities, suchas employment non-discrimination and anti-bullying protections.
AnAlly’s Guide to Issues Facing LGBT Americans is a primerintroducing the major areas in which unfair laws and stigma create extraburdens for LGBT Americans. The resource was developed by the Human RightsCampaign (HRC), Log Cabin Republicans, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP),Stonewall Democrats and the Victory Fund.
“LGBTAmericans want and deserve the same chance as everyone else to pursue healthand happiness, earn a living, be safe in their communities, and take care oftheir loved ones,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Unfortunately, unfairlaws, lack of legal protections, and outdated prejudices stand in the way ofthese bedrock American values. We must work to change the hearts and minds ofour fellow Americans, guiding them to fairness and equality.”
The pastthree years have brought historic gains: openly gay and lesbian servicemembersnow are able to serve their country; LGBT people are included in thefederal hate crimes law; and more states are passing or expanding laws whichaim to protect LGBT individuals from bullying in schools and discrimination inhousing and employment. However, as detailed in An Ally’s Guide to Issues Facing LGBT Americansdetails, LGBT Americans are simply still not equal under federal law.
Many LGBTpeople experience discrimination when just going about their dailyactivities–whether eating at a restaurant with their families or friends,trying to obtain safe, clean housing or applying for a loan. Contrary topopular belief, federal legislation does not protect LGBT people fromdiscrimination in housing, public accommodations, credit or employment. LGBTpeople also lack such protections in most states. LGBT workers often cannotextend their health insurance coverage to their partners or children. Withoutfamily and marriage tax deductions, LGBT families pay additional taxes but haveaccess to fewer benefits like Social Security Survivor Benefits. Due to theseand myriad other inequalities, LGBT people are more likely to live in povertyand suffer from health disparities.
“With all ofthe media and political attention on marriage, very few Americansunderstand the full extent of the inequality LGBT Americans face everyday,” said Jerame Davis, Executive Director of National StonewallDemocrats. “Kids in foster care are denied loving and qualified parentsfor no other reason than because those parents are gay or lesbian.Older LGBT Americans live in poverty because they’re denied accessto Social Security Survivor Benefits. This resource highlights all ofthese issues and more in an accessible and easy to read manner.”
“LGBT orstraight, Republicans are united in the belief that strong families arecritical to a free society, and that equal opportunity is essential to theAmerican dream. This report will be a valuable tool to persuade Americans ofall political stripes of the need for equal protection for all families,including gay and lesbian service members and veterans, said Log CabinRepublicans Executive Director, R. Clarke Cooper.
“LGBTAmericans want to serve their country as civic leaders, elected officials,members of the military and volunteers. We're doing so in greater numbersthan ever before, but there is still a glass ceiling of prejudice that keeps usfrom reaching our full potential," said Denis Dison, vice president ofcommunications for the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute. “The U.S.has never had an openly LGBT member of the president's Cabinet, nor an out U.S.Senator. There are no openly gay governors, and more than a dozen states stillhave no openly LGBT state legislators. We're working to level the playingfield for LGBT Americans who want to serve their communities.”
The Human Rights Campaignis America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay,bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRCstrives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation thatachieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. www.hrc.org
LogCabin Republicans is the only Republican organization dedicated torepresenting the interests of LGBT Americans and their allies. The 30-year oldorganization has state and local chapters nationwide, a full-time office inWashington, DC, a federal political action committee and state political actioncommittees. www.logcabin.org
Founded in2006, the MovementAdvancement Project is an independent think tank that providesrigorous research, insight and analysis that help speed equality for lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender people. Learn more at www.lgbtmap.org
NationalStonewall Democrats is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual,transgender and allied Democrats, with more than 80 local affiliates across thenation. Stonewall Democrats works to elect more pro-equality Democratsregardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity—and to improve theDemocratic Party on issues important to LGBT Democrats. www.stonewalldemocrats.org
TheGay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute works to train andsupport openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender leaders who go on toserve their communities as elected and appointed officials. More than 525openly LGBT elected officials are currently serving in the U.S., up from lessthan 50 when Victory was founded in 1991. For more information, visit www.victoryfund.org
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