GLBT and equal rights

Local group takes up the banner

By FRITZ MAYER

REGION — Under existing laws in Pennsylvania, it is legal for employers, landlords and others to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation. In New York, it is illegal to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation. But in some cases, it is legal to discriminate against people based on their gender-identity. Across the country, it is legal in 31 states to discriminate against people based on either.

Patty Tomaszewski of Milford, PA, thinks that a lot of people are unaware of legal details such as these, and that’s one reason she founded the Upper Delaware GLBT Center in May. That’s also why she and others associated with the group travelled to Washington, DC on October 12 to join with thousands of others in a march on Washington, a march that is considered to be very successful for an effort that was sparked by a newly-formed group, Equality Across America.

Tomaszewski said she and those thousands went to the capital with one simple demand: “Full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. We will accept no less, and will work until it is achieved. Equality Across America exists to support grassroots organizing in all 435 Congressional Districts to achieve full equality.”

She said, “The march itself was not supposed to be just an event. It was supposed to be a springboard for mobilizing and activating work to be done in the districts across the country.” She said that she thinks that people are fighting locally for equality across the country.

The effort comes at a time when many states are wrestling with issues such as gay marriage. At the national level, there is much discussion about ending the military policy on gays referred to as “don’t ask don’t tell.”

On October 28, President Barack Obama signed legislation that expanded federal hate crimes to include crimes committed against members of the GLBT community. The legislation was first proposed in the wake of the slaying of a 21-year-old student named Matthew Shepard in Laramie, WY in 1998, who was attacked because he was gay.

The bill has been around for 10 years, but didn’t pass until now because of opposition from congressional Republicans. After signing the bill, Obama said, “After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we’ve passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love…”

Despite this step forward, many in the GLBT community, which Obama courted during his campaign, feel that the Obama administration has not been nearly aggressive enough in pushing advancements. On this matter Tomaszewski said, “I think he has a lot on his plate right now, and I think everybody that has an issue wants their issue addressed today and now, and the GLBT movement is among them.”

She said Obama understands this, and indicated as much in his remarks to the Human Rights Campaign dinner in October, when he said it wasn’t his place to tell the GLBT community to be patient.

Still, there is a limit to what can be done right away. But in the end, said Tomaszewski, Obama is a big supporter of GLBT rights, and will sign bills that come across his desk to ensure equality.

He may soon get the chance once again. Beginning on November 4, the House of Representatives will begin to discuss the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would prohibit employers across the country from discriminating against GLBT people.

In the meantime, progress toward equality moves forward in the states. In Pennsylvania, for instance, there is a bill pending that would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and other areas based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In New York, there is a bill in the House Judiciary Committee that would provide marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples under state law.

Tomaszewski said GLBT equality is just a matter of time. “I wouldn’t be doing the work that I’m doing if I didn’t believe there was hope for equality.”

For more information visit hrc.org/index.htm, equalityacrossamerica.org, or udglbtcenter.blogspot.com .