LGBT Equality

ABOVE: Tammy and Judy Shepard at the 2007 Matthew Shepard Foundation Honors Awards.

Topics:

• Overview
• LGBT Equality Caucus
• Employment Discrimination against LGBT Americans
• Abolishing the Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy
• Hate Crimes
• Ending LGBT Health Disparities
• Domestic Partnership Benefits

I look forward to the day when gay and lesbian families are protected through the same laws and with the same obligations, responsibilities and rights as straight Americans. Achieving these goals will require both substantive changes in our laws and personal outreach to educate and change public attitudes. Congress must act to extend equal rights, repeal discriminatory laws, and advance policies that lead to the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and well being for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

LGBT Equality Caucus

The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus is comprised of Members of Congress who are committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBT people in the U.S. and around the world. Along with my colleague Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), and other Members of Congress who are strongly committed to these values, in June 2008, I established the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. By serving as a resource for Members of Congress, their staff, and the public on LGBT issues, the Caucus is working toward the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and well being for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

To visit the Caucus website, and see a list of current members, click HERE.

Employment Discrimination against LGBT Americans

Every year, qualified hard-working Americans are denied jobs or discriminated against while on the job because they are, or are perceived to be, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Yet, Americans have a fundamental belief that working men and women should be judged based on their job performance rather than irrational prejudice. I am very proud that, in 1982, Wisconsin became the first state to ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. I strongly believe we must pass federal legislation to ensure that every American is protected from employment discrimination. I support the fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Abolishing the Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

On December 22, 2010, President Obama signed into law a repeal of the military’s "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding gays and lesbians serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Since its inception, the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy has been an un-American assault on our most fundamental tenet – that ‘all men are created equal.’ Integrity is a hallmark of military service. Yet, for 17 years, we have had a statutory policy that required some in our military to conceal, deceive, and lie. This was an inexcusable affront to all who wear the uniform. The repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ was long overdue, but no less welcome, and I look forward to the expeditious implementation of all policies necessary to end discrimination against gays and lesbians who currently serve or wish to serve in the military.

Hate Crimes

Hate is not an American value. Hate crimes involve the purposeful selection of victims for violence and intimidation based on bias against their actual or perceived attributes. These crimes are distinguished from, and go far beyond, mere expression of belief. They materially and unacceptably interfere with the full participation of all Americans in the fundamental liberties enjoyed in our democratic society. As Americans, we must take a strong stand against violence committed against people for simply being themselves. 

In 2009, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which provides increased penalties for bias-related crimes that result in death or bodily injury, was signed into law. I was a strong supporter of that legislation and worked hard for its passage.

I also support efforts to end bullying and harassment in our nation’s schools. The tragic consequences of this behavior have received national attention following several recent dramatic suicides. But most of the horrible consequences are never reported. Shining a light on the problem is essential. I am pleased to support the annual National Day of Silence, in which students take a vow of silence to bring attention to the anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying, and harassment faced by individuals in schools, including students, teachers, and other school staff. In addition, I support Obama Administration efforts to end bullying in schools and applaud their efforts to educate state and local authorities on best practices to achieve this goal.

Ending LGBT Health Disparities

Although health disparities affecting the LGBT community are recognized by numerous federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LGBT Americans continue to face serious barriers to adequate and appropriate health care. A major reason for these health disparities is that LGBT Americans are significantly more likely to be uninsured then the general population—particularly because LGBT families often do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. When benefits are provided, families face tax burdens that their opposite-sex married colleagues do not. Additionally, the lack of data collected on the health status of LGBT individuals significantly hampers research and federal funding for LGBT health initiatives. As a result of these disparities, the health of LGBT Americans suffers dramatically.

To address these inequalities, I am the lead sponsor of the Ending LGBT Health Disparities Act. This bill is the first comprehensive approach to confronting all areas of the health care system where LGBT Americans face inequality and discrimination.

Domestic Partnership Benefits

A large and growing number of America’s major corporations, as well as state and local governments and educational institutions, have extended their employee benefit programs to cover their employees’ committed domestic partners. In fact, over half of the Fortune 500 companies now offer health benefits to employees’ domestic partners, up from just 25 percent in 2000. Overall, more than 8,000 private-sector companies make such benefits available to employees’ domestic partners, as do several hundred state and local governments and colleges and universities.

I am the lead sponsor of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, which would put the federal government on par with a majority of Fortune 500 companies by extending employee benefit programs to cover the domestic partners of federal employees to the same extent as those benefits cover spouses of federal employees.

IN-DEPTH

• Blog Posts
• Links
• Press Releases

LGBT

Related Websites:

• Access current information about any bill in Congress at this site, managed by the Library of Congress
  http://thomas.loc.gov
• Anti-Defamation League
  http://www.adl.org
• Human Rights Campaign
  http://www.hrc.org
• Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
  http://www.civilrights.org
• National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
  http://www.ngltf.org
• National Center for Transgender Equality
  http://www.nctequality.org