How many realize that gays & lesbians are not afforded employment & other civil protections in some US states?

Question

I'm talking about basic protection from discrimination. Not about protection from doing a lousy job or not being able to pay the mortgage. There's a big difference.

Did I get a thumbs down because someone doesn't like hearing about reality?

Bohemianboi - yes, I should have said LBGT. The issue is broader.

To everyone who says we have the same protections as straights, you don't know much about getting fired because your boss found out you were gay, or what it's like to be denied loans because the banker thinks you're queer.

Answer 1

Few. Many have never even concidered the bigotry and discrimination faced every day by gays and lesbians.

Answer 2

Yes, this happens all the time. The fact that someone could be discriminated against for something like homosexual behavior is ridiculous. Err, I guess my point is that I know it happens, but the fact that it happens is stupid. You see, they are saying that because you are gay, you CAN be fired from your job, regardless of wether or not you do a good job. If you are doing the BEST job and you are fired because someone THINKS they know what you do in bed with others.....is completley stupid and wrong. Unless they have proof, like video tapes.....and even then I could make an arguement. Yes, I should have protection from being fired, for equal housing, for whatever. I want the same as anybody else. SOmeone called this special rights. It's not special. All things being equal, people have a right to make a choice for who they will give a job to, who they will fire, who they will give housing to, whatever. In this case though, if someone is doing a better job than another person, and is fired, or not given a job because of thier sexuality, chosen or not, is completley wrong.

Answer 3

And why should anyone get any protection for their job because of their sexual choice? I made a sexual choice, does that mean that my boss can't fire me? Wow think he knows that, this could work out pretty good, I need to rethink these work hours! One hour a day, with full pay sounds good! And to think all this cause I made a sexual choice! I wish I had known this years ago!

Sorry for the sarcasm, but really why would being gay or lesbian prevent you from doing your job as well as a straight person. I can see someone who is handicapped being given some protection for their job. Are you saying that you are different than straight people. Cause in all the Gay/Lesbian rallies that they show on TV, all I hear is how you are just like everyone else, just with a different lifestyle. Is your lifestyle preventing you from being a productive member of society? Gays and Lesbians in the military are able to complete their work just fine, the only difference is they do not feel the need to advertise their Sexual Choice to anyone who will listen, nor do they expect special treatment because of it either.

Answer 4

Umm..I think you should REALLY reword your question. You say "gays and lesbians" but it's not just gays and lesbians. You need to include bisexuals and especially TRANSSEXUALS as well. I am a transsexual and I know all too well how many civil protections WE are not included in. Some cities have even had to adopt city ordinances in order to allow transsexuals to even BE employed. Now I know gays and lesbians get refused employment too, but I still see them with jobs, and I'm sure transsexuals do too, but a lot of transsexuals get refused employment to the point that places have had to ADOPT policies just to allow us to work.
I myself have to now file a petition with the selective service explaining WHY I never registered for the draft, which means I have to "out" myself and explain that I was born a female just to get financial aid. Do you think THAT'S fair? I don't.
There's been a judge here in Texas who's made a precendent setting decision that says transsexuals (in Texas at least) are not "legally" married to someone of their OPPOSITE sex. Like if I present and I'm "legally" a male, with or WITHOUT "the operation" I still can't LEGALLY marry a woman, because this judge has said it's based on chromosomes and I still have female chromosomes. So, I can never marry a woman, and appear to society as a "straight" couple, but this judge says it's ok for me to marry a man legally, but look to society as a "gay male" couple. How ridiculous is that? That I don't even have the right to marry who I want to, and the the only LEGAL way to do it is to APPEAR gay?
Yeah, ask how many transsexuals have lost their jobs, their homes, their marriages, their children, and have been denied promotions, raises, been restricted in their education because they've had to drop out from harassment, ect...yeah, the world is unfair.

Answer 5

I don't think we should get certain privileges. Hear me about before you form an opinion.

Look, as long as we aren't fired just so who we are, we should not be guaranteed employment over anyone else.

I do believe in equal rights, I also believe each person should be hired and fired based upon work performance, with nothing else involved in that equation. If you take out age, race, orientation, we should achieve this.

However, I do understand in such a prejudice community we live in today that this will probably never happen.

Nice thought though.

Answer 6

Yes they are...the exact same civil protections of straight people. To give extra protection to someone because they are gay would only cause straight people to say...what about me...

Gays and straights come in different ages, colors, origins, religions, genders etc... and on that basis everyone receives the exact same rights.
What you are suggesting is giving someone special rights on the basis of sexual preference. By it's own design you would be excluding straight people from protection... Is that what you are suggesting??? Sounds to me like you want special treatment for being gay/lesbian. Think about it...

I agree that this country has a long way to go in the treatment of gays/lesbians. And they have come a long way already.But this is hardly the way to get acceptance... I love people and I don't care who they are.... but I would never give my support to give anyone special rights. I am a smoker... are my rights violated because they won't let me smoke in public places? I think it's the same scenario... think about it.

Answer 7

It's crazy we live in a world where everything is so open but people are so judgemental on certain issues that can harm societys perfect picture, I am a girl I love a man we have a son, no way am I gay, but I think it's sorry that gays are penalized for their CHOICE. Isn't that what this country is about CHOICE, FREEDOM, it's pretty sorry is all i wanted to say and to let you know not all people are country bumpkins, turn your cheek ya know

Answer 8

I realize it and it is a legal game. That's why we want to be included in the list of reasons that people CANNOT be discriminated against for.

Answer 9

But not all and there is an ongoing movement that challenges that point of view(Human Rights Campaign,Serviceman Legal Defense Network just to name a couple). Peace.

Answer 10

it was called amendment 2 here in colorado and guess what after a reword and revote colorado still think that homosexuality is a choice and is not afforded protection under the law.