Being able to earn a living so that we can support ourselves and our family is a very basic premise in our society. It’s what we are conditioned from birth to do. Sadly, it’s a goal that is not without significant challenges for many LGBT Americans that are out of the closet. The irony for many LGBT Americans is that truth – being honest to yourself and those around you about your sexual orientation, gender identity or expression – often results in problems. Just ask the 14,000 gay and lesbian service members that have been discharged from the U.S. military under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
| DID YOU KNOW..? |
| • 56% of Americans live in states with no statewide LGBT-specific nondiscrimination statutes. |
| • Over 14,000 gay and lesbian service members have been discharged from the U.S. military under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” |
It happens in civilian life as well. In 29 states, you can be fired solely because you’re gay. If you’re transgender, that’s 38 states in which you can be fired. That’s just wrong and not in keeping with a fully inclusive democracy.
That’s why we support all jurisdictions, to include states and the federal government, adopting fully-inclusive nondiscrimination laws and policies that protect LGBT people.
