Advocacy is still necessary in a post Marriage Equality world.
Although same-sex marriages are now legally recognized and performed in all 50 states, backlash legislation has already begun and now more than ever we must work to help reluctant hearts and minds catch up to the ever evolving landscape with regard to equality. |
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What Still Needs Work:
• Most state issued birth certificates still only reflect “mothers” and “fathers” making no room for parents of the same gender.
• We need uniform ENDA (employment non discrimination acts) policies across the country. In many states a gay couple can now be married on Friday, but possibly fired on Monday.
• Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRA) are used in many states as licenses to discriminate - gay individuals and couples can be refused service or denied housing simply for being gay.
• Transgender individuals face tremendous odds with regard to insurability, ability to change official documents, and public restroom and locker room use. Uniform laws must be passed to protect these citizens.
• Ask your LGBT friends and family how you can show your support and love for them. Something as simple as asking how to address their partner/boyfriend/girlfriend/wife shows that you care about them and that you want to “get it right”. Just ask - you’ll be surprised at how simple showing your support can be.
What YOU Can Do:
1. Join your state’s Equality Group (Equality Texas / Equality California/ Equality Florida, etc.). Donate your money and your time to these understaffed and underfunded grass root groups who have the pulse of what’s going on in your state of residence. Follow them via social media (Facebook, Twitter, email) to receive tips and links to writing letters, signing petitions and attending rallies.
2. Write your representatives at the local, state and federal level. Let your legislators know that you desire and that you expect ALL citizens to be treated equally with respect to benefits and protections under the law.
3. Speak up! Don’t remain silent when a crude “joke” or word is used in your presence. Speak up for what you believe is right.
4. Don’t give up on your religion. Take it back! Regularly attend your church, temple, or mosque and be the change you hope to see in your congregation.
5. If you are LGBT, or have a friend or family member who is, don’t be afraid to live your authentic life or to speak proudly of your loved one who is doing so. Studies have shown that hearts change more quickly when there is a personal relationship involved. So help change those reluctant hearts out there by letting them get to know the real you.
"Every time you stand up for an ideal, you send forth a tiny ripple of hope.”
-Robert F. Kennedy
• Most state issued birth certificates still only reflect “mothers” and “fathers” making no room for parents of the same gender.
• We need uniform ENDA (employment non discrimination acts) policies across the country. In many states a gay couple can now be married on Friday, but possibly fired on Monday.
• Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRA) are used in many states as licenses to discriminate - gay individuals and couples can be refused service or denied housing simply for being gay.
• Transgender individuals face tremendous odds with regard to insurability, ability to change official documents, and public restroom and locker room use. Uniform laws must be passed to protect these citizens.
• Ask your LGBT friends and family how you can show your support and love for them. Something as simple as asking how to address their partner/boyfriend/girlfriend/wife shows that you care about them and that you want to “get it right”. Just ask - you’ll be surprised at how simple showing your support can be.
What YOU Can Do:
1. Join your state’s Equality Group (Equality Texas / Equality California/ Equality Florida, etc.). Donate your money and your time to these understaffed and underfunded grass root groups who have the pulse of what’s going on in your state of residence. Follow them via social media (Facebook, Twitter, email) to receive tips and links to writing letters, signing petitions and attending rallies.
2. Write your representatives at the local, state and federal level. Let your legislators know that you desire and that you expect ALL citizens to be treated equally with respect to benefits and protections under the law.
3. Speak up! Don’t remain silent when a crude “joke” or word is used in your presence. Speak up for what you believe is right.
4. Don’t give up on your religion. Take it back! Regularly attend your church, temple, or mosque and be the change you hope to see in your congregation.
5. If you are LGBT, or have a friend or family member who is, don’t be afraid to live your authentic life or to speak proudly of your loved one who is doing so. Studies have shown that hearts change more quickly when there is a personal relationship involved. So help change those reluctant hearts out there by letting them get to know the real you.
"Every time you stand up for an ideal, you send forth a tiny ripple of hope.”
-Robert F. Kennedy