‘We are all part of the American family’
“We are all part of the American family.”
That’s what President Obama said in last night’s State of the Union address. But can that really be true as long as the LGBT community does not have full equality?
LGBT people can still be fired or denied employment for nothing other than their gender identity or orientation, and marriage inequality relegates our families to second-class status. These injustices place an even greater economic burden on LGBT people in already difficult economic times.
We must make our voices heard and let President Obama know that LGBT people are part of the American family.
Speak out now! Share your ideas on how we can make progress on the full range of issues – from job protections to marriage recognition, to the protection of health care and social security benefits – that affect LGBT people and our families.
DADT was indeed a monumental achievement, but I would like to see increased support from government officials, in any way, honestly. It is imperative that LGBT persons feel included, that they feel that they are part of this nation. Now, I feel that the only way I will feel that I belong is if I move somewhere I can exercise my full rights. I did not choose this for myself, just as any minority race/ethnicity would claim. We need equality and recognition on a national level, on a global level even.
Inclusion, an attachment to something bigger than ourselves is what we need to give LGBT persons a greater sense of personal and economic security. We do not deserve to live our lives in fear of retribution for who we intrinsically are.