Independence Day & LGBT Equality

It’s interesting what legislation some American states squeeze in as we break for the 4th of July Holiday. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the Constitutional right to marriage equality established by Obergefell v. Hodges does not require states to include gay & lesbian couples in state employee spousal benefits. Equality Texas reported that during their 85th legislative session over two dozen bills targeting LGBTQ people were filed. Many of these bills targeted the most vulnerable & marginalized within our communities. Meanwhile in California at the same time new regulations went into effect to protect the rights of transgender people in the workplace. Selisse Berry, CEO & Founder of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates stated, “Marriage equality is about more than a ceremony & a marriage license—it’s about gay & lesbian marriages being treated with equal dignity & recognition under the law. The Texas ruling dishonors the work of those who’ve fought for decades for this victory & threatens the progress we’ve made. It’s not enough to simply be able to get married: LGBT people should have the same access to employee benefits, public accommodations & opportunities to build our families as anyone else. Instead of undermining the equality of LGBT people, Texas should look to the example of California, a state where just last week new regulations went into effect to ensure that transgender people are treated fairly at work. We all have a stake in LGBT equality: When LGBT people can live, love & work without fear of discrimination or violence, it strengthens all our communities.” I talked to Jim Obergefell in this audio byte about the marriage equality backlash & more. LISTEN:
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