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EQUALITY GOALS
FOR
LEGAL EQUALITY
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EQUALITY AS IT SHOULD BE
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LEGALIZED DISCRIMINATION AS OF INAGURATION DAY
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LGBT EQUALITY
DAYS AFTER INAUGURATION
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Hate Crimes Protection
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"We will pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act."
2008 Democratic Party Platform |
Every year, 1,500 people are victims of hate crimes due to their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or expression and they are not protected by federal legislation. |
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law by President Obama on October 28, 2009 (282 days after Inauguration). |
| Non-Discrimination |
Non discrimination in employment, including the federal government, housing, public accommodations, shared facilities, and credit should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Also, non-discrimination in federally funded programs or activities.
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In 30 states it is perfectly legal to fire somebody solely for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
In most states there is no protection for discrimination in housing, public accomoodations, and credit based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. |
NO
CHANGE
YET
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Gays in the Military
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"Should the law [DADT] change, the military will carry that out too."
Adm. M. Mullen
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman |
More than $364 million wasted implementing the ban.
More than 12,500 service members discharged because of DADT, inluding at least 80 Arabic linguistics. |
NO
CHANGE
YET
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Marriage Equality
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"When any society says that I cannot marry a certain person,
that society has cut off a segment of my freedom."
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, 1958
"I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages."
President Obama, 1996 [source]
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In 46 states, same sex couples are denied the right to marry.
And same sex couples legally married in 4 states or in foreign coutries are considered not married by the federal government and by most states
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NO
CHANGE
YET
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> Federal Protections for Couples
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"We support the full inclusion of all families, including same-sex couples, in the life of our nation, and support equal responsibility, benefits, and protections."
2008 Democratic Party Platform |
The federal government does not recognize the legal marriages of same sex couples.
It does not even provide the most basic protections that common law couples take for granted.
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NO
CHANGE
YET
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| > Civil Unions, DPs |
"I continue to support a civil union that provides all the benefits that are available for a legally sanctioned marriage."
President Obama |
Only 8 states provide civil unions or comprehensive domestic partnerships to same sex couples.
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NO
CHANGE
YET
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| > Repeal Federal DOMA |
"After long and careful consideration, I have come to agree with him [President Obama] that the law should be repealed."
Bob Barr, Author of DOMA |
Tens of thousands of legally married same sex couples are denied federal protections because of DOMA. |
NO
CHANGE
YET
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Freedom of Gender
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Add gender identity and expression to non discrimination and Hate Crimes laws.
Allow individuals the freedom to change their gender on official records.
Require medical insurance to cover both routine healthcare and specialized medical care for transgender people as recommended by their physicians. |
Hundreds of thousands of Americans are denied basic protections and are discriminated because of their choice of gender. |
NO
CHANGE
YET
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Protecting Youth
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"We need to do more in our schools to foster tolerance and an acceptance of diversity."
President Obama |
Because of the portray of homosexuality, many youth battle for self acceptance, leading to three times the rates of suicide. |
NO
CHANGE
YET
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Same Sex Parenting Rights
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"I believe there are too many children who need loving parents to deny one group of people adoption rights. A child will benefit from a healthy, loving home, whether the parents are gay or not."
President Obama
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Foster parents lose their children because of their sexual orientation.
Adoption needs to be determined by the suitability of the parents, nor their sexual orientation or gender identity.
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NO
CHANGE
YET
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