From eQualityGiving - Jan. 27, 2012 5:58 PM

Thanks, Bustera, for providing the link about Florida's anti-bullying law. But as we explain above under the Youth heading, we do not provide credit for anti-bullying legislation that does not enumerate LGBT.

 

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From Bustera [24.47.172.240] - Jan. 27, 2012 4:08 PM

Florida anti bullying and harassment law

http://www.helium.com/items/2284886-laws-on-bullying-in-florida-hb-669

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From eQualityGiving - Nov. 24, 2011 3:04 AM

We have updated the score for Massachusetts to reflect the important gender identity protections added to its statues. They include: hate crimes and non-discrimination in employment, housing, credit, other items (such as genetics) and education.

Still missing: (1) gender identity protections in public accommodations (which are covered in multiple statues) and (2) gender identity protection in anti-bullying legislation (which also needs to be updated in general).

 

 

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From hle009 [69.140.0.221] - Nov. 23, 2011 6:29 PM

Information on Non-discrimination and hate crime columns need to be updated for Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has signed into law “An Act Relative To Gender Identity,” which adds “gender identity and expression” to the state’s hate crimes law as well as existing civil rights laws that protect from discrimination in employment, housing, education, and credit. “No individual should face discrimination because of who they are,” Patrick said. “This legislation gives Massachusetts the necessary tools to stop hate crimes against transgender people and to treat others fairly. I am proud to sign it.” Massachusetts is now the 16th state (plus the District of Columbia) to include protections for transgender people.

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From eQualityGiving - Jul. 5, 2011 10:01 PM

Thanks, hle009. The Governor of Connecticut just signed today into law an expansion of the non-discrimination to include gender identity. We have updated the score to 5.5.

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From hle009 [69.140.0.221] - Jul. 5, 2011 6:58 PM

For the Non-discrimination column, Connecticut tatus should be revised since the state has added gender identity to their non-discrimination laws.  Here are the links:

Malloy vetoes insurance rate review bill

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy used one of his first vetoes on a controversial bill that would have created a new public review process for proposals to increase health or long-term care insurance rates.

In his veto message, Malloy called the bill, which drew support from consumer advocates and fierce opposition from the insurance industry, "bad for the people of Connecticut."

The bill was one three bills Malloy vetoed Friday and announced Tuesday. The other vetoed bills would have exempted police from telecommunications training and changed the standard for reviewing the siting of proposed television and cell towers.

Malloy also signed into law controversial proposals to require some employers to provide paid sick leave for their workers and outlaw discrimination against people who are transgendered, and a bill establishing a state health insurance exchange, a marketplace for buying insurance required under the federal health reform law.

http://www.ctmirror.org/story/13161/malloy-vetoes-insurance-rate-review-bill

Human Rights Campaign Applauds Connecticut Legislature for Passing Transgender Anti-Discrimination Protections

http://www.hrc.org/15681.htm

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From T-Zero [76.181.79.11] - Jun. 14, 2011 11:22 PM

Thank you for the clarification. I wasn't sure about that.

BTW: re my earlier post about adoptions in Michigan — That bill, like Michigan's bullying bills is dead I think. I don't think the adoption bill ever saw any movement, not even a committee assignment.

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From T-Zero [76.181.79.11] - Jun. 14, 2011 6:07 AM

With the Arkansas Supreme Court ruling on 7 April rejecting the  initiative that barred same-sex couples and other unmarried people living together from serving as adoptive or foster parents, does that mean that parenting in Arkansas should now be a yes?

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From eQualityGiving - Jun. 14, 2011 12:14 AM

In response to T-zero: The decision of the Supreme Court in Arkansas was a great victory. Now LGBT couples or unmarried couples can adopt. We marked so in the scorecard and gave half a point. We could not find any reference that Second Parent Adoption is allowed in Arkansas, though. For a full YES on the parenting column a state must allow single person adoption, joint adoption, and second parent adoption.

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From eQualityGiving - Jun. 13, 2011 12:42 AM

Thanks, hle009. We have updated the scorecard for Nevada and Hawai'i.

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From hle009 [69.140.0.221] - Jun. 12, 2011 9:04 PM

For the Non-discrimination column, Nevada and Hawaii status should be revised since these two states have added gender identity to their non-discrimination laws.  Here are the links:

Human Rights Campaign Applauds Governor Brian Sandoval for Extending Anti-Discrimination Laws

Nevada Is 14th State to Provide Protections Based on Gender Identity or Expression

http://www.hrc.org/15675.htm

With Enactment of Hawaii Employment Non-Discrimination Law, One-Quarter of U.S. States Ban Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity

http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2011/05/with-enactment-of-hawaii-employment-non-discrimination-law-one-quarter-of-u-s-states-ban-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-gender-identity/

 

 

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From eQualityGiving - Jun. 7, 2011 10:19 PM

Thanks, MauroAlbuquerque. We have updated that New Mexico now recognizes marriages from other states. This is a very important step (in many ways more important than having civil unions).

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From MauroAlbuqueerque [67.0.39.133] - Jun. 7, 2011 1:44 PM

Hello, I want to point out to you that in New Mexico, the Attorney General, Gary King, issued a statement that according to New Mexico laws, same sex marriages from states where they are recognized will be recognized as valid in New Mexico.  There were bills introduced in the state legislature to specifically overturn this, but none made it out of committee, nor did any anti-same-sex marriage bills make it out of committee.  So while we do not recognize domestic partnerships or same-sex marriages performed in NM, we DO recognize marriages performed in states where it's legal, including many New Mexicans who married in CA when it was still legal there.  So can you please update New Mexico's status to 'recognizes marriages'?  We are a much more progressive state than most people realize.  

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From eQualityGiving - Jun. 4, 2011 3:35 AM

To Summersgill:  Thanks, we have made the update for the District of Columbia.

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From summersgill - Jun. 3, 2011 8:04 PM

Under the District of Columbia, the section on Youth states, "Sexual Orienation Only." This is incorrect. All D.C. laws and regulations include Gender Identity and Expression where ever sexual orientation is found. A new Bulying and Intimidation bill is currently moving through the D.C. Council, but it builds on the decade old anti-harrassment law which likewise includes both sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

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From eQualityGiving - Jun. 2, 2011 5:46 PM

Thanks, Mylo. You emailed us privately too. Thanks for help in compiling the information for the territories.

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From Mylo Egipciaco/Mylodinprods@aol.com [76.94.209.221] - Jun. 2, 2011 3:31 PM

Thanks for the ranking information. However, it would be great to include in this analysis & statistics the ranking of USA territories: Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa!

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From Anonymous [72.46.129.44] - May. 30, 2011 11:36 PM

How is it equal rights if citizens are forced to go against their values and beliefs?

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From eQualityGiving - May. 27, 2011 1:29 PM

Thanks, Kevin. We have updated the scorecard to indicate that Rhode Island recognizes marriages from other states. Recently, a bill pass the Assembly for civil unions; it is now pending passage in the RI Senate. We will update the scorecard as soon as it is signed into law.

 

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From eQualityGiving - May. 27, 2011 1:21 PM

Thanks, T-Zero. We have updated the information on Indiana.

 

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From T-Zero [76.181.79.11] - May. 23, 2011 7:18 AM

Indiana is listed as "partial" for parenting. What does "partial" mean? Didn't Indiana legalize joint adoptions in 2006 due to State Court of Appeals ruling?

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From kevin [68.14.144.212] - Apr. 10, 2011 5:59 AM

I've read that actually rhode island does recognize marriages from other states. for example you can get married in massachusetts and have it recognized in rhode island.

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From eQualityGiving - Feb. 17, 2011 2:29 PM

Thanks, T-Zero. We have updated the information about Michigan to indicate Some Jurisdictions, which is the term to indicate no legislation across the state. Can you please keep us informed when the legislation is passed? We are eager to keep this Scorecard as up-to-date and accurate as possible.

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From T-Zero [98.28.17.246] - Feb. 17, 2011 1:29 PM

Does Michigan have second-parent Adoption? In 2009 a bill to allow it was introduced, but I don't think it ever went anywhere. Now in 2011, State Reps Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and State Sen Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) just announced 14 February that they would introduce legislation to legalize second parent adoption. So I am confused as to why the score card lists Michigan with second parent adoption.

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From 76.14.56.138 [76.14.56.138] - Jul. 15, 2010 1:14 AM

Gender identity should not be included in a gay civil rights list.  The greatest lie and negative stereotype of homophobes is that gay people are somehow insecure in their gender.  Those opposing equality love to claim falsely that gay men are somehow less masculine than heterosexual men or that gay women are somehow less feminine than heterosexual women.  Gender identity and sexual orientation are completely separate concepts and should never be lumped together.  The true, original ENDA would probably have passed by now if gender identity had not been thrown into the bill.  The Civil Rights Act of 1964 probably would not have passed if sexual orientation had been added as a characteristic along with race.

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From eQualityGiving - Jun. 29, 2010 9:24 AM

In response to T-Zero's comment (below): The real purpose of the scorecard is to indicate the state of equality in each state. If a protection is available federally but not at the state level, we indicate it---so that the reader knows the source of the protection, but we give the full point in counting the state of equality in that state.

 

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From T-Zero [72.251.38.44] - Jun. 28, 2010 6:40 PM

If the point of this scorecard is to illustrate what equality measures an individual state has enacted, why have all states been given a full point for hate crime legislation? Especially when some states such as Oklahoma have actively attempted to pass legislation to exempt themselves from the new federal hate crime law.

While I appreciate your indication of where only the federal law applies, I don't think the state should be given a credit for that.

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From eQualityGiving - Mar. 8, 2010 4:58 AM

Thanks, Aaron.

We have updated that Colorado has Domestic Reciprocal Beneficiaries.

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From Aaron [99.96.95.10] - Mar. 5, 2010 8:29 PM

Slight correction...

Colorado has Domestic Reciprocal Beneficiaries almost identical to Hawaii's.

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From Stefan [131.111.185.87] - Mar. 3, 2010 7:15 PM

Very interesting to see how varied the American states are. Britain (where I live) would probably get 5.5, as we have 'civil partnership' which is marriage in all but name. What's amazing is that it's all happened in the past 10 years!

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From eQualityGiving - Dec. 3, 2009 9:21 PM

In response to Kem's comment: New York state, as pointed out in the scorecard does not cover gender identity in the state's laws that cover sexual orientation in hate crimes and employment discrimination.  

In the Gender column, the focus is the freedom of gender and the ability to change your gender. The main item that we look at is the birth certificate. Granted, most people go through life without looking at the birth certificate. But this is an important document in order to change other documents that are critical for day-to-day life. States treat birth certificates in three ways, which are representative of their understanding of the freedom of gender: (1) they provide a new certificate with the correct gender and name, without any indication about the prior gender or name, (2) they provide an amended certificate, which clearly indicates that changes were made, or (3) they refuse to change the birth certificate. Check the Freedom of Gender equality goal for more details. New York State falls in the first category; hence, it is given credit in the gender column.

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From Kem [208.120.132.6] - Dec. 2, 2009 11:12 PM

CORRECTION

I have to echo earlier comments.  Why is NY green for 'Gender'?  It most certainly should not be.

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From T-Zero [72.251.38.60] - Oct. 28, 2008 8:03 AM

Query. Doesn't Colorado allow all adults to adopt, not restricted to only gay second parent adoptions?

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From T-Zero [72.251.34.26] - May. 14, 2008 7:00 PM

CORRECTION

I was in error about the Florida anti-bullying bill.

Sen. M. Mandy Dawson, D-Fort Lauderdale, had filed an amendment on the Senate floor that would have required anti-bullying policies to prohibit such behavior against specific categories of students. Those would have included sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, and national origin.

But after receiving indications that some senators might be unwilling to vote for the bill with that amendment, Dawson withdrew the amendment.

The bill that passed made no enumerations or protected categories.

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From T-Zero [72.251.34.26] - May. 14, 2008 2:36 PM

Reply to Pia re: scores

According to my count: California 5.5, New Jersey 5.0, Vermont 5.0

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From T-Zero [72.251.34.26] - May. 14, 2008 2:23 PM

Suggested Scorecard Updates

• 5 May 2008: Florida Senate passed anti-bullying bill including sexual orientation and gender.  (reported by Andy Humm in Gay City News)
• 14 May 2008: Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley signed anti-bullying bill including sexual orientation and gender.

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From Someone in Georgia [74.244.33.108] - Apr. 22, 2008 4:20 PM

Also, there are definitely counties in Georgia where second-parent adoptions are routinely approved.

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From Someone in Georgia [74.244.33.108] - Apr. 22, 2008 4:15 PM

I can't speak for other matters, but your chart is definitely in error with regard to birth certificates in Georgia.

After my surgery, my shiny new birth certificate was issued with the correct sex and name on it, and absolutely no indication that it has ever been changed.  The original birth certificate was sealed, and that information can now only be accessed with an explicit court order.

It only took me about an hour at the Dept of Vital Records to get my new birth certificate, too.  No legal petitions or judges or anything.  Just a letter from my surgeon, and about $10 for a new certificate.

Also, Illinois will only update your birth certificate if your surgeon is licensed in the USA, so I know of lots of women that went to Thailand who can't update theirs.  I'd downgrade them significantly for that, personally.

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From eQualityGiving - Apr. 19, 2008 11:03 PM

Vermont was upgraded from 4.5 to 5. So now there are indeed three states with a score of 5 or 5.5. Still no state has a perfect 6.

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From Pia [166.165.163.233] - Apr. 19, 2008 7:34 PM

"Only two states (California and New Jersey) achieve 5 of the 6 Equality Goals."

Didn't Vermont score a five also?

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From joey [63.238.156.230] - Apr. 19, 2008 8:50 AM

thank you for taking the time to explain. for whatever reason i just didn't notice the EQUALITY GOALS column on the left until now. doh! sorry about that ... keep up the great work guys!

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From Arkansas Traveler 317 - Apr. 19, 2008 8:21 AM

Please give Arkansas a tenth of a point raise in ranking, just for the encouragement. Eureka Springs is the ONLY municipality in the state to have a DPR, enacted by unanimous vote of the city council May 14, 2007. With no residency requirement, the DPR has attracted straight and gay couples from 10 other states and 35 cities within Arkansas. Largely symbolic, because it confers no rights/benefits (prohibited by state consitution, unfortunately), it may be recognized by some employers and insurance companies as proof of relationship. Plus, it has deep personal meaning for couples who cannot or choose not to marry. Sexual orientation is also included as a protected class in the city's hiring policy.

All of which is a far cry from equality. But for a resort town of 2300 smack in the Bible Belt, it's a start.  For more information, see the DPR link and news stories on www.gaynewsbureau.com

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From eQualityGiving - Apr. 18, 2008 5:51 PM

Answering Joey's question: In Gender, the focus is the freedom of gender and the ability to change your gender. The main item that we look at is the birth certificate. Granted, most people go through life without looking at the birth certificate. But this is an important document in order to change other documents that are critical for day-to-day life. States treat birth certificates in three ways, which are representative of their understanding of the freedom of gender: (1) they provide a new certificate with the correct gender and name, without any indication about the prior gender or name, (2) they provide an amended certificate, which clearly indicates that changes were made, or (3) they refuse to change the birth certificate. Check the Freedom of Gender equality goal for more details.

In the youth column we look at anti-bullying/safe schools legislation. Some states do not have such legislation and others only cover sexual orientation. We look for legislation that clearly enumerates the categories covered instead of blanket statements. Check the Protect Youth equality goal for more details.

 

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From joey [63.238.156.230] - Apr. 18, 2008 4:45 PM

what are the categories "gender" and "youth" refering to?

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From Nicole [20.137.2.50] - Apr. 18, 2008 7:55 AM

As a transwoman living in NY state, I can assure you that I have no legal protection state wide. There are localities that protect gender expression, but state wide protection is definitely lacking. There are currently efforts to pass GENDA, a law that would extend protection to trans people, but even bringing that to the floor is difficult.

That being the case, I don't understand why the gender box is green for New York.

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