LGBTQ+ Equality

Our Belief:

Our belief is simple. All people deserve full and equal rights. Our belief and our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community is grounded in our core values and truly runs deep as we are a part of this community. We stand with our community and proudly support our LGBTQ+ family. 

Love Wins!

One of the biggest achievements for the LGBTQ+ community was marriage equality. It was a long and hard fought battle by many but most notably by Edith Windsor and Jim Obergefell whose cases, heard by the Supreme Court, ultimately resulted in marriage equality becoming the law of the nation in 2015. It was an enormous step forward for the LGBTQ+ community and truth that love wins. 

 

And even more strides...

In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, extends to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The ruling would now provide protections for millions of people across the country from being fired for simply being gay, bisexual, or transgender. This would be the first major case addressing transgender rights ruled on by the Supreme Court. It was a surprising decision given the conservative majority of the Supreme Court but a ruling that was certainly long overdue. History is made once again. 

 

What's Next? 

Despite all the achievements and strides foward in the movement for LGBTQ+ Equality, there is still much to be done. And even with laws protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in the work place, discrimination still occurs in housing, health care, and even at the hands of our own community. The epidemic of violence against the transgender community and more specifically violence against transgender people of color is at an alarming rate and is a hate crime against our whole community. Transgender rights are LGBTQ+ rights. None of us are equal until we are ALL equal. 

What Can You Do?

Listen, learn, repeat. Have conversations with friends and family. Our movement needs allies and people to stand with us. One of the easiest ways to show your support is by signing petitions. There is power in numbers so don't ever think that your voice, your signature, your vote doesn't matter because when we all show up, have a shared movement for change, equality is imminent. 

LGBTQ+ Resources and Organizations:

The Trevor Project - The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. 

Human Rights Campaign - (HRC) is the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights organization. 

GLAAD - rewrites the script for LGBTQ+ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. 

Lambda Legal - is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. 

PFLAG - PFLAG's mission is to build on a foundation of loving families united with LGBTQ+ people and allies who support one another, and to educate ourselves and our communities to speak up as advocates until all hearts and minds respect, value and affirm LGBTQ+ people.