Since the Supreme Court’s decision on Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in the United States, it has become a commonly held belief that the LGBTQ Community has finally gained equal rights. In fact, on January 20th, GLAAD released their annual Accelerating Acceptance report, which found that 50% of non-LGBTQ Americans strongly agree that gay people now have the same rights as everybody else.
While this may be a commonly held belief, it is anything but true. According to the Pew Research Center, 39% of Americans still oppose same-sex marriage in 2015. With people opposing this ceremony that so many men and women easily participate in, it may feel to same-sex couples that their marriages are less valid than that of their straight counterparts. That attitude is only perpetuated when entire states such as Tennessee, work to invalidate the legal decision made in Obergefell v. Hodges. In our society, marriage is seen as a very valuable aspect of defining love; one that the heterosexual man and woman have never had a problem participating. Yet, with marriage being such an important part of American culture and equality, we need everyone on board.
The Atlantic reported that in 28 states, a gay individual could be discriminated against while looking for an apartment, applying for a job, or buying goods. For example, Queerty.com recently reported a transgender woman and her wife were denied housing when the landlord said “their ‘unique relationship’ would become a ‘town focus.'” Additionally, the other day Arkansas Online reported that 22 states are pushing for the right to refuse serving gay couples. This is along the same lines as not baking same-sex couples wedding cakes because one does not support same-sex marriage. Until one doesn’t have to hide their identity or their same-sex partner in doing these small things to support themselves, we don’t have equal rights.
After the passage of same-sex marriage, many people shifted their focus to the rights of the transgender community. One of the big issues facing the transgender community is exclusionary healthcare insurances. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, there are still 11 states that have explicit policies banning trans-exclusions in both private insurance and Medicaid coverage. Thus making healthcare coverage extremely difficult to find for members of the transgender community. This is problematic since transgender individuals need this coverage the most, due to the surgeries and hormones they may use to transition.
At this point in American history, the LGBTQIA Community does not have equal rights. In order to help the LGBTQIA Community attain equality, individuals need to vote in the upcoming election for referendums and politicians that support LGBTQIA equality. The results of the election can make a large impact for those in the LGBTQIA Community who must face inequality and discrimination each day.
