Tag: LGBTQ protections

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House Of Representatives Votes To Protect LGBTQ Staffers From Discrimination

For the first time in the history of the U.S. government, the House of Representatives voted to ban employment discrimination against LGBTQ staff members as part of a package of rules that will govern the chamber over the next two years.

For the first time in the history of the U.S. government, the House of Representatives voted to ban employment discrimination against LGBTQ staff members as part of a package of rules that will govern the chamber over the next two years.

The new rule was championed by Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, one of eight openly LGBTQ legislators in the new Democratic-controlled House.

“Government at its best works for the benefit of all Americans, not just the powerful and privileged,” said Cicilline said in a statement to NBC Out. “Protecting the rights of LGBT employees is just the right thing to do.”

LGBTQ advocacy group The Human Rights Campaign issued a statement hailing the new rule as “an historic moment for our country.”

“For the first time ever, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity will be banned in the House of Representatives,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “This action to protect LGBTQ congressional employees from discrimination is the result of millions of Equality Voters going to the polls in November to ensure their voices were heard and demanding a Congress that looks like America.”

Many Americans erroneously believe that LGBTQ discrimination is illegal across the United States.

But, as the HRC notes, half of LGBTQ Americans live in states without legal protections in regard to employment, housing and other arenas.

I’ve previously reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced she plans to make passage of The Equality Act a priority in the new Congress.

The Equality Act would amend existing civil rights law to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes from discrimination.

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Did Donald Trump Just Pull A Fast One On LGBTQ Protections In USMCA?

Leaders of Mexico, United States and Canada sign new USMCA trade deal

Last Friday, while attending the G20 economic summit in Argentina, Donald Trump sat down alongside Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to sign the newly-minted United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The trade deal is meant to serve as a replacement for NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).

At the time, anti-LGBTQ House Republicans wailed about a provision that calls on the three countries to support “policies that protect workers against employment discrimination on the basis of sex, including with regard to pregnancy, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, gender identity.”

According to Politico, the LGBTQ provisions were a Canadian priority championed by Trudeau.

That sounds great for the gay community, right? Not so fast.

Forty-five House Republicans signed a letter to Trump urging him to have the language removed.

And now, Canada’s Global News is reporting the clause may be rendered useless in terms of LGBTQ Americans due to a foot note.

The Global News reports, “The final agreement has a change in language that various analyses suggest will water down its reach: The new wording calls on each country to implement policies each ‘considers appropriate to protect workers against employment discrimination on the basis of sex.'”

A footnote in the agreement reads:

The United States’ existing federal agency policies regarding the hiring of federal workers are sufficient to fulfill the obligations set forth in this Article. The Article thus requires no additional action on the part of the United States, including any amendments to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, in order for the United States to be in compliance with the obligations set forth in this Article.

See that part? “Existing federal agency policies regarding the hiring of federal workers are sufficient to fulfill the obligations…”

So, no new LGBTQ protections for Americans.

Geoffrey Gertz of the Brookings Institute called the footnote “ridiculous” and “the kind of thing that will make progressives even more suspicious of engaging with trade liberalization.”

It’s not all a done deal, though. Lawmakers in all three countries will have to pass legislation that actually ratifies the agreement in order for it to take effect.

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Poll: 68% Of Americans Favor Businesses That Show Support For LGBTQ Equality

Last June, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of anti-LGBTQ baker, Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop, many saw the decision as a symbolic setback for the LGBTQ community.

But a new Harris Poll shows a majority of Americans feels the federal government and private sector should do more to protect LGBTQ rights.

The survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults indicates 70% support a federal law protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations and credit.

Respondents overwhelmingly said businesses should not discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation (81%) or their gender identity (80%).

In fact, 75% of Americans feel that when a business opens it’s doors to the public, everyone should be served equally.

The poll also showed 68% of Americans say they would favor, and be more likely to shop at, businesses that openly support LGBTQ equality.

But its not all sunny news, as 20% of of those polled believe businesses should be able to deny services based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or disability.

And 25% say business owners should be allowed to refuse services to certain customers if that would be in opposition to their religious beliefs.

Last November, a campaign known as Open To All was launched in order to boost awareness of discriminatory business practices.

Businesses who support the campaign make public their pledge to treat everyone fairly and can display signs in their windows with the hashtag #OpenToAll.

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New Hampshire Approves Gender Identity Law, Bans “Ex-Gay Therapy”

New Hampshire’s LGBT advocates celebrated GOP Gov. Chris Sununu for signing into law a new bill which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

The transgender rights bill passed the New Hampshire House by 195-129 votes, and in the Senate with all Democrats in favor and enough Republicans in support to pass it, 14-10.

“Discrimination – in any form – is unacceptable and runs contrary to New Hampshire’s Live Free or Die Spirit,” Sununu said in a statement after signing House Bill 1319.

But wait – Sununu wasn’t done.

He also signed on Friday legislation banning so-called conversion therapy for gay minors.

Connecticut, California, Nevada, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington, Maryland, Hawaii and now New Hampshire all have laws or regulations protecting youth from this abusive practice.

A growing number of municipalities have also enacted similar protections, including cities and counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, Florida, New York, Arizona, and Wisconsin.

There is no credible evidence that conversion therapy can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. To the contrary, research has clearly shown that these practices pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people such as depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness, and even suicidal behavior. The harmful practice is condemned by every major medical and mental health organization, including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and American Medical Association.

Good on you, New Hampshire!