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6 facts about LGBT rights in America

  • vietpride
  • Jun 29, 2015
  • 2 min read

CNN-Samesexmarriage-map.png

(Where the U.S.A’s states stand on the issue of same-sex marriage, as of April 2015)

Source: CNN

LGBT communities all over the world have spent decades in the battle for their basic human rights – one in which we were almost always on the losing side. Miraculously, within the short period of the past two years, we have made non-stop progress and changed the situation drastically. Let’s take a look at the six facts about LGBT rights in one of the most influential places in the battle – America.

  1. In June 2013, the Supreme Court struck down a large part of the DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) in the case of Windsor vs. United States and deemed it unconstitutional. This led the way for numerous changes in different states’ marriage laws to eventually accommodate same-sex marriage.

  2. The Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA) is a piece of legislation that has been introduced to Congress every year since 1994 without much success. The legislation would prohibit any discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of the employee’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

  3. Inspired by the tragedies of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. (both murdered by alleged hate crimes), the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was passed on Oct. 22nd, 2009. This act includes a ban on hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

  4. Of approx. 1.6 million homeless youths in America, 20% are LGBT individuals.

  5. In 2012, President Obama made history as he announced his support for same-sex unions on ABC News.

  6. As of April 2015, there had been more than 30 States in the U.S, along with the District of Columbia, who have allowed same-sex marriage. Click here to see CNN’s interactive map on the subject.

*Update: On the historic day of June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of America declared same-sex marriage to be legal across all 50 states. LGBT communities all over the world rejoiced and celebrated alongside LGBTs in the US in this victorious moment.


 
 
 

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