Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About LGBT Issues

A new guide addresses gay issues - for straight allies

What does marriage equality really mean? Who pays more taxes? Why can’t gay couples adopt in every state? What do you mean you can be fired for being gay? These are some of the questions being addressed in An Ally’s Guide to Issues Facing LGBT Americans. Okay, so the title’s a little dry, but the guide is chock full of essential information – a veritable Gay Rights 101. It’s also been endorsed by Equality Pennsylvania, and produced by the Movement Advancement Project, HRC, Log Cabin Republicans, National Stonewall Democrats and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

The guide is a smart primer that introduces sometimes complex issues and how laws impact LGBT people all across the country – with hard facts about everything from marriage and family to safety and workplace protections. The guide also features maps and discussions of federal and state laws that stand in the way of equal opportunity for LGBT Americans – and what straight allies can do to make a real difference.

What many people don’t know is that federal laws doesn’t protect LGBT Americans from discrimination in employment, housing, credit or public accommodations. Most Americans also may not know that LGBT workers often cannot extend their earned health insurance coverage to their partners or children even in cases where straight co-workers are afforded that right. And without family and marriage tax deductions, LGBT families actually pay more taxes, but are denied access to essential protections like Social Security survivor benefits. Because of these and other inequities that exist – both socially and economically – LGBT people, especially seniors, are more likely to live in poverty and suffer from health disparities.

Want to learn more? Click here to download the guide for free. And share this link with LGBT and straight friends who would like to get a crash course in some of the most important issues impacting the LGBT community during this election year and beyond. Because remember, it’s not a Democrat or Republican issue. It’s a human one.