Did You Know?

Despite achieving the right to get married no matter your gender or sexual orientation, they’re hardly any laws protecting LGBTQ+ members. Currently there are only twenty one states that have statutes that protect against both sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employement in the public and private sector. (LGBT Employment) That leaves thirty states without protection against discrimination. Currently there are fourteen bills being pushed into laws. These bills would limit the civil liberties of the LGBTQ+ community. One of those bills is referred as healthcare exemptions. This would allow those with religious objections to refuse care and undermine professional standards that apply equally to everyone. For instance, a high school guidance counselor could refuse to counsel a gay teenager, citing their sincerely held religious beliefs. (Legislation Affecting LGBT Rights)

Why it Matters?

This matters because with these implications put into law, many LGBTQ+ members will lose their basic civil rights. With that healthcare could be refused on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. Leaving high-risk patients with a small chance of getting better. As the world begins to change, we change with it. We should advocate for equality no matter the gender identity or sexual orientation someone possess. Love is Love. 

Works Cited

“LGBT Employment Discrimination in the United States.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Dec. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_employment_discrimination_in_the_United_States.

“Legislation Affecting LGBT Rights Across the Country.” American Civil Liberties Union, www.aclu.org/legislation-affecting-lgbt-rights-across-country#healthcare restrictions.