Polling confirms that 75% of Americans believe that discrimination in housing, employment, etc. based on sexual orientation is illegal. [But they’re wrong: as of today, at least 28 states offer no such protection to LGBT Americans, and federal anti-discrimination law does not apply. -ed.]
I think it’s because of the progress made in recent years on marriage equality and ending the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
The Equality Act was introduced in Congress today to amend the 1964 Civil Right law to include sexual orientation and gender identity to protect against discrimination in housing, workplace, schools, credit and jury selection. Its chief sponsors were Sen. Merkley (D-OR) and Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) who said : ” In most states, a same-sex couple can get married on Saturday, post pictures on Facebook on Sunday, and then risk being fired from their job or kicked out of their apartment on Monday.”
Within hours 155 signed on as sponsors including 40 Senators — all Democrats.
Everyone should call their Congressperson to support this legislation. It’s long past due. Honestly, I’m ashamed we’re still talking about this in 2015.
Fred Rich LaRiccia
Founder, P.O.W.A.R.
It may mean that people think that these anti-discrimination laws are such no-brainers that they are surprised to find such laws are not already on the books. The obvious conclusion is might as well pass the law and be done with it.
and the edit.
I’m still in the dark on how to do that and will consult with my tech guru,Anthony Guardia,to remedy my ignorance.
Fred Rich LaRiccia
The opponents should be made to understand that all this law does is makes a legal remedy available to someone who’s been unjustly fired or kicked out of their apartment. It is not automatic. The individual still has to prove their case. It just gives them an opportunity to do so in the tradition of basic American fairness.