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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHow most states allow discrimination against LGBTQ people
Most states don't ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace, housing, or public accommodations (hotels, restaurants, and other places that serve the general public).
As a result, more than half of LGBTQ Americans, according to the LGBTQ advocacy group Movement Advancement Project, live in a state where, under state law, an employer can legally fire someone because he's gay, a landlord can legally evict someone because she's lesbian, and a hotel manager can legally deny service to someone who's transgender for no reason other than the person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Currently, 19 states ban at least some forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, while three additional states ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Some other states protect public but not private employees from discrimination. Many municipalities have nondiscrimination laws that only apply within their local borders, even in states that don't have such laws. And some companies prohibit discrimination in their own policies.
*Surveys show that most Americans widely support nondiscrimination protections, but a major hurdle to getting the laws passed may be that Americans already think they're in place."
http://www.vox.com/2015/4/22/8465027/lgbt-nondiscrimination-laws
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)as an excuse for termination for whatever else reason.
My first pitch to folks about ENDA is to do it because it is right.
IF that fails, I fall back to making it about them. "You know, even if you aren't gay, if your employer has a shady reason for firing you, he can claim that 'I thought the employee was gay' and then there is no recourse for you".
damnedifIknow
(3,183 posts)We have our problems here but many times we get things right.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)introduced by Representatives Bella Abzug and Ed Koch which Republicans and conservatives have blocked ever since. Repeated attempts to pass what is now ENDA have left the bill remaining in the lurch.
Without getting into detail, I would say that a great many DU posters are unaware of this and the implications of this discriminatory environment.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)One_Life_To_Give
(6,036 posts)Even where laws have been changed. There are so many ways with which to exclude people who are different from themselves. It's hardly surprising to me that the Closet is still so well used. When transgressing norms has such consequences. Strength to all my brothers, sisters and everyone in between who has to struggle with society's rejection of difference.
Behind the Aegis
(53,833 posts)When the news was looking toward a positive reaction to marriage equality, many started backing companies who were willing to drop "domestic partner policies" and couldn't see the forest for the trees. In areas where equality wasn't going to be limited to marriage, it seemed like it could be a positive thing, but many companies were based in or had locations in places described above. Too many, including a number of GLBT people, think the battle for our equality is over; it isn't. The discrimination in the article is quite real and does happen, then there is the homophobia, in general, and one can't have this discussion without mentioning the on-going heterosexist attitudes and actions which are often daily issues. Sadly, battling discrimination against GLBT people doesn't seem to be "en vogue" anymore and many turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the problems occurring.
nightscanner59
(802 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)When it comes to discrimination it's never over.
We need to keep fighting for full equality and stand our ground over the battles already won because the bigots will never stop pushing back.