Sep 12, 2012

New Report Helps Allies Understand Issues Facing LGBT Americans

The Movement Advancement Project today released An Ally's Guide to Issues Facing LGBT Americans, written in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign, Log Cabin Republicans, National Stonewall Democrats, and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute.

CLICK HERE to download An Ally's Guide to Issues Facing LGBT Americans.

This new guide is a short primer summarizing the major areas in which unfair laws and stigma create extra burdens for LGBT people. These burdens make it harder for LGBT Americans to earn a living, take care of their families, or even go about everyday activities like eating at a restaurant with their families or friends; trying to obtain safe, clean housing; or applying for a loan.

Contrary to popular belief, federal law doesn't protect LGBT Americans from discrimination in employment, housing, credit or public accommodations. Most Americans don't realize that LGBT workers often cannot extend their earned health insurance coverage to their partners or children. They don't understand that without family and marriage tax deductions, LGBT families pay additional taxes but are denied access to essential protections like Social Security survivor benefits. And they don't realize that due to these and myriad other inequalities, LGBT people are more likely to live in poverty and suffer from health disparities.

An Ally's Guide to Issues Facing LGBT Americans highlights all of these issues and more--as well as opportunities for change--in an accessible, easy-to-read report that can be used to spark discussion and educate allied non-profits and funders, media, policymakers, and even co-workers, friends and family members who don't fully understand the daily inequalities LGBT people face.

Take time to read and share this new guide, available for download now at www.lgbtmap.org.