PROTECTION / COMPLAINTS
We [the Civil rights Division of the U.S. Dept. of Justice] hope this LGBTQI+ Working Group website will serve as a useful resource for members of the LGBTQI+ community and other individuals facing discrimination based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, or HIV/AIDS status. We invite you to contact us by emailing the LGBTQI+ Working Group's email address. [CRT-LGBTQI@usdoj.gov]
HAVE A COMPLAINT? Complaints about discriminatory practices may be reported to the [DOJ] Civil Rights Division through its Internet Reporting Portal. (Civil Rights Division, U.S. Dept. of Justice)
HAVE A COMPLAINT? CLICK HERE for the Complaint Portal Assistant (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Office for Civil Rights |)
FEDERAL LEGISLATION
Respect for Marriage Act
U.S. Congress passes landmark bill protecting same-sex marriage
By Moira Warburton, Reuters.com | December 8, 2022 12:03 PM CST Last Updated 4 hours ago |
QUOTES FROM ABOVE ARTICLE
"The House vote was 258-169, with all of the chamber's Democrats and 39 Republicans voting in favor - though 169 of the chamber's Republicans voted against it and one voted "present."
"When the Senate passed it by a vote of 61-36, 12 Republicans joined 49 Democrats in supporting it. Most Senate Republicans voted against it."
Statement By President Joe Biden on Bipartisan House Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act">
White House Briefing Room Statements & Releases | December 8, 2022 |
Respect for Marriage Act (US HB8404 | 2021-2022 | 117th Congress) [LegiScan] | H.R. 8404 (H.R. 8404 | 117th Congress (2021-2022) |) [Congress.gov] |
Status: Completed Legislative Action | Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 190-0) | Status: Passed on December 13 2022 - 100% progression | Action: 2022-12-13 - Became Public Law No: 117-228. | Text: Latest bill text (Enrolled) [PDF]
Summary: Provides statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages. Specifically, the bill repeals and replaces provisions that define, for purposes of federal law, marriage as between a man and a woman and spouse as a person of the opposite sex with provisions that recognize any marriage that is valid under state law. (The Supreme Court held that the current provisions were unconstitutional in United States v. Windsor in 2013.) The bill also repeals and replaces provisions that do not require states to recognize same-sex marriages from other states with provisions that prohibit the denial of full faith and credit or any right or claim relating to out-of-state marriages on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. (The Supreme Court held that state laws barring same-sex marriages were unconstitutional in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015; the Court held that state laws barring interracial marriages were unconstitutional in Loving v. Virginia in 1967.) The bill allows the Department of Justice to bring a civil action and establishes a private right of action for violations. |
Same-sex marriage bill advances in the Senate with bipartisan support
By Lexie Schapitl, NPR.org | November 16, 2022 9:20 PM ET |
QUOTE FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:
The Senate has voted to advance a bill that would protect same-sex and interracial marriages under federal law, setting the legislation on a path to final passage.
The Respect for Marriage Act would not force states to issue same-sex marriage licenses, but would require them to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. It also would recognize these marriages under federal law for the consideration of benefits like Medicare and Social Security.
All 50 Democrats and 12 Republicans voted to advance the bill, clearing a 60-vote threshold.
Equality Act (US HB5 | 2021-2022 | 117th Congress ) [LegiScan] | H.R. 5 (H.R.5 | 117th Congress (2021-2022) |) [Congress.gov] |
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 224-1) | Status: Engrossed on March 1 2021 - 50% progression [Passed in House. Now in Senate Committee] | Action: 2021-03-17 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. |
Summary: Prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system. |
House Passes The Equality Act: Here's What It Would Do (NPR)
QUOTE FROM ABOVE LINK: "The Equality Act would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to explicitly prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."
Equality Act (Human Rights Campaign)
QUOTE FROM ABOVE LINK: "The Equality Act would provide consistent and explicit anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service."
SEE ALSO Northwoods UU Issues Resource Links: SCHOOLS & CENSORSHIP (re banning books including LGBTQ representation / issues)
PASSED TEXAS STATE LEGISLATION
TRANSGENDER STUDENTS COMPETING AS PREFERRED GENDER
Transgender students must compete in school sports with children on basis of biological sex, not preferred gender.
Public school students must compete in interscholastic athletic competitions based on biological sex. House Bill 25 (TX HB25 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 3rd Special Session [LegisScan]) | House Bill 25 (Texas Legislature Online) |
Status: Completed Legislative Action | Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 78-0) | Status: Passed on October 25 2021 - 100% progression | Action: 2021-10-25 - Signed by Governor Abbott | Effective on January 18, 2022 |
OTHER LGBTQ LAWS / RIGHTS
Upcoming legislation currently in process affecting LGBT (ACLU.org) [NOTE: This ACLU site tracks bills in all 50 state legislatures.]
Anti-LGBT Rulings, Laws and Amendments (Lambda Legal.org)
The Gay Rights Controversy (Univ. of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law [Faculty project])
Back to Northwoods UU Issues Resource Links: LGBTQ
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Last Modified: 12/23/2022