Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender Americans do not have equal protection of the law. Check how we compute our Federal LGBT Legal Equality Index...
COMPUTING THE FEDERAL LGBT LEGAL EQUALITY INDEX
For each of the Equality Goals, we have identified specific areas in which there is no equal protection under federal law:
Equality Goal: Non Discrimination
1. Employment in private sector
2. Employment in Federal government
3. Housing
4. Public accommodation
5. Public facilities
6. Credit
7. Federally funded programs and activities
Equality Goal: Hate Crimes --- GOAL REACHED
8. Hate crimes legislation (Signed into law by President Obama on October 28, 2009 - The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act).
Equality Goal: Military
9. Armed Forces: Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell
Equality Goal: Marriage Equality
10. Civil marriage
11. Immigration
Equality Goal: Freedom of Gender
12. Disability legislation update
Equality Goal: Protecting Youth
13. Education
Equality Goal: Same Sex Parenting Rights
Mostly those rights are granted at the state level
So there is a total of 13 areas that correspond to the federal Omnibus Equality Bill that we have proposed. Once each of the areas is accomplished we grant 1 point---if the area is accomplished partially (or with substandard legislation) then we grant half a point. The total number of points is divided by 13 and this gives the percentage of equality.
HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL LGBT LEGAL EQUALITY INDEX
This index started on January 20, 2009 on the historical inauguration of President Obama.
The index stood at zero for 282 days after inauguration.
The Federal LGBT Legal Equality Index changed to 8% on October 28, 2009, the day President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act---283 days after inauguration.
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