With all of the changes that have been occurring in the country today with regards to the LGBT community, some people aren’t sure where things stand now. Here’s a quick summary of some of the biggest changes in the U.S. that affect gays and lesbians.
Marriage
The biggest and most well-known major change occurred with marriage. It’s legal in all 50 states now, although of course there are some conservative people who are trying to continue the fight. What this means is that a number of states that have civil unions or domestic partnerships are now phasing those relationship statuses out. If you want one of these forms of partnership instead of a marriage (and there are some people who do for various reasons), you may want to make sure they are still being offered.
Housing
Gay and lesbian realtors are pleased that more and more LGBT couples are now able to apply for mortgages as married couples. Married couples typically have an easier time applying for and getting mortgages, which means they will have an easier time getting houses. Married couples can also hold property as joint tenants, which means that they have more rights than tenants in common. Unfortunately, many states do not have laws preventing housing discrimination, which means LGBT couples still face challenges in securing housing.
Employment
Employment is in the midst of flux right now. The Equal Employment Occupation Committee has stated that the “sex” part of the standard nondiscrimination policy applies to sexual orientation in addition to gender itself. However, this only applies to federal employees, not those employed by private businesses. Private businesses can still fire people at will for being gay in most states. However, many companies are including anti-discrimination policies in their hiring policies now, which is a sign that the times are continuing to change and become more accepting for LGBT people.
Legal frameworks addressing wrongful termination are essential in safeguarding the rights of employees. These frameworks typically encompass various laws and regulations at both federal and state levels, offering protections against unjust dismissals, discriminatory firings, and retaliation. By providing employees with legal recourse in cases of wrongful termination, these frameworks ensure fairness and accountability in the workplace.
Acceptance
Overall, more and more people are now accepting of LGBT people than ever. While there is still work to go, especially in the area of transgender acceptance, many Americans now show their support for gay and lesbian people. With marriage equality now the law of the land, employment discrimination changing, and more private companies incorporating anti-discrimination policies, many people expect that as the younger generations age, LGBT discrimination will become a thing of the past. Employment, housing, and other issues are sure to vanish once that happens.
