The Supreme Court decision consenting gay and lesbian couples the right to marry in all the states was a landmark victory for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. It was a hard fought victory spanning years of hard work and activism. Nonetheless, even in the wake of that substantial step in the court’s ruling, many members of the LGBT community still have work to do. This comes to the realization that several same-sex couples find it hard to enjoy other fundamental human rights in several other states of the country. This paper puts into context the Equality Act 2015, as well as the repercussions of the same act across several divides of the American people.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling giving same-sex marriages the green light across the country, several other forms of discrimination face the LGBT members. Numerous states do not have explicit provisions protecting the gay and lesbian people against some forms of discrimination such as employment, housing, and public access. For instance, a lesbian couple could be denied renting or evicted from a house in some states because of their sex orientation.
In the wake of all the forms of discriminations based on sexual orientation, some lawmakers felt the need for federal action. Others felt that same-sex marriage laws could not be left up to the states. In the same spirit, human, civil rights protections for the LGBT community should not either.
Following numerous debates and consultations, the Equality Act legislation proposal seems to address the burning issues of discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Equality Act is a comprehensive bill introduced by the House and Senate lawmakers aiming to introduce sexual orientation as well as gender identity to the existing protections based on color, religion, sex, and race. The bill, if passed, would address discrimination issues in the areas of employment, public accommodations, housing, public education, federal funding, the jury system and others (Congress.Gov, 2015 p.1).
The bill was introduced into the House of Representatives by David Cicilline on July 23, 2015, and sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley. The legislation, if passed, would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, as well as others to have sexual orientation and gender identity as other forms of discriminations. Many members of the LGBT community describe the piece of the legislation as what they have always fought for and the time to enjoy that is now. Additionally, the act would force the other thirty-one states, which do not extend protections based on sexual orientation to the LGBT members (Govtrack, 2015 p.1).
Several public opinion makers have added their voice in support of the bill. Many surveys show that the majority of the American people supports having LGBT people under human and civil rights rules. Also, renowned businesses including Apple, Google, Facebook, General Mills and the Amazon have expressed their enthusiastic endorsement of the Equality Act.
The bill is the first step in ensuring that all humans enjoy their basic fundamental rights notwithstanding of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The fact that someone is human gives him or her the right to have legal backing and have protection from forms of discrimination. Over 60% of LGBT, community members report some form of discrimination in their areas of work. Only nineteen states include LGBT people in their human and civil rights legislation, bringing the rest of the country is of utmost importance to ensure that all citizens enjoy the same rights (Human Rights Campaigns, 2015 p.1).
In some other quarters, however, the Equality Act is regarded as a bad policy. Analysts argue that sexual orientation and gender identity laws create unnecessary problems such as threatening small businesses with liability over alleged discriminations. Also, they widen state interference in labour markets, somehow discouraging the creation of jobs (Anderson n.p).
Other opponents argue that the legislation endanger religious liberty as well as the freedom of speech. The employment policies they mandate concerning workplace conditions seem to overstep the bounds of common sense according to some observers. Again, instituting such policies could reduce workplace morale and even be confusing to children (Human Rights Campaigns, 2015 p.1).
Personally, I do not think that supporting sexual orientation and gender identity is not a bad idea. Legitimizing and extending the same rule of the law to all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity should not be seen as awarding special privileges to a particular group of people. It is all in the spirit of equality, for all humans are equal. Nonetheless, the act needs to be clear on the definitions of what behaviours constitute a violation of the sexual orientation laws. This would ensure that the law is not vague and overly broad.
In conclusion, the Equality Act is a step in the right direction towards a society where all humans are free from all forms of discrimination. What a person chooses, however, should not be used against him or her, as everyone has a personal conviction in his or her beliefs. It is important that the law becomes clearer on what constitutes discrimination and what does not. This is vital in reducing confusion on the sexual orientation as well as gender identity laws.
The Supreme Court decision consenting gay and lesbian couples the right to marry in all the states was a landmark victory for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. It was a hard fought victory spanning years of hard work and activism. Nonetheless, even in the wake of that substantial step in the court’s ruling, many members of the LGBT community still have work to do. This comes to the realization that several same-sex couples find it hard to enjoy other fundamental human rights in several other states of the country. This paper puts into context the Equality Act 2015, as well as the repercussions of the same act across several divides of the American people.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling giving same-sex marriages the green light across the country, several other forms of discrimination face the LGBT members. Numerous states do not have explicit provisions protecting the gay and lesbian people against some forms of discrimination such as employment, housing, and public access. For instance, a lesbian couple could be denied renting or evicted from a house in some states because of their sex orientation.
In the wake of all the forms of discriminations based on sexual orientation, some lawmakers felt the need for federal action. Others felt that same-sex marriage laws could not be left up to the states. In the same spirit, human, civil rights protections for the LGBT community should not either.
Following numerous debates and consultations, the Equality Act legislation proposal seems to address the burning issues of discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Equality Act is a comprehensive bill introduced by the House and Senate lawmakers aiming to introduce sexual orientation as well as gender identity to the existing protections based on color, religion, sex, and race. The bill, if passed, would address discrimination issues in the areas of employment, public accommodations, housing, public education, federal funding, the jury system and others (Congress.Gov, 2015 p.1).
The bill was introduced into the House of Representatives by David Cicilline on July 23, 2015, and sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley. The legislation, if passed, would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, as well as others to have sexual orientation and gender identity as other forms of discriminations. Many members of the LGBT community describe the piece of the legislation as what they have always fought for and the time to enjoy that is now. Additionally, the act would force the other thirty-one states, which do not extend protections based on sexual orientation to the LGBT members (Govtrack, 2015 p.1).
Several public opinion makers have added their voice in support of the bill. Many surveys show that the majority of the American people supports having LGBT people under human and civil rights rules. Also, renowned businesses including Apple, Google, Facebook, General Mills and the Amazon have expressed their enthusiastic endorsement of the Equality Act.
The bill is the first step in ensuring that all humans enjoy their basic fundamental rights notwithstanding of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The fact that someone is human gives him or her the right to have legal backing and have protection from forms of discrimination. Over 60% of LGBT, community members report some form of discrimination in their areas of work. Only nineteen states include LGBT people in their human and civil rights legislation, bringing the rest of the country is of utmost importance to ensure that all citizens enjoy the same rights (Human Rights Campaigns, 2015 p.1).
In some other quarters, however, the Equality Act is regarded as a bad policy. Analysts argue that sexual orientation and gender identity laws create unnecessary problems such as threatening small businesses with liability over alleged discriminations. Also, they widen state interference in labour markets, somehow discouraging the creation of jobs (Anderson n.p).
Other opponents argue that the legislation endanger religious liberty as well as the freedom of speech. The employment policies they mandate concerning workplace conditions seem to overstep the bounds of common sense according to some observers. Again, instituting such policies could reduce workplace morale and even be confusing to children (Human Rights Campaigns, 2015 p.1).
Personally, I do not think that supporting sexual orientation and gender identity is not a bad idea. Legitimizing and extending the same rule of the law to all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity should not be seen as awarding special privileges to a particular group of people. It is all in the spirit of equality, for all humans are equal. Nonetheless, the act needs to be clear on the definitions of what behaviours constitute a violation of the sexual orientation laws. This would ensure that the law is not vague and overly broad.
In conclusion, the Equality Act is a step in the right direction towards a society where all humans are free from all forms of discrimination. What a person chooses, however, should not be used against him or her, as everyone has a personal conviction in his or her beliefs. It is important that the law becomes clearer on what constitutes discrimination and what does not. This is vital in reducing confusion on the sexual orientation as well as gender identity laws.
Works Cited
Congress.Gov. Congress Libraries. 19 August 2015. Web. 15 October 2015.
Govtrack. H.R. 3185: Equality Act. 10 October 2015. Web. 15 October 2015.
Human Rights Campaigns. Support the equality act. 16 August 2015. Web. 15 October 2015.
Anderson, Ryan T. "How So-Called 'Equality Act' Threatens Religious Freedom." The Daily Signal. The Heritage Foundation, 23 July 2015. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.