At the upcoming Global Meeting in March in Florence DAJ will be a co-sponsor to the following resolution on LGBT issues.- We are proud to join the Germany DA's efforts on this important resolution.
*Lauren Shannon
DAJ Chair
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING EQUAL RIGHTS FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BI-SEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) INDIVIDUALS
Whereas,
Every American including an individual that is lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender (LGBT) is constitutionally entitled to equal protection under the law;
The US military policy of "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell" violates the civil rights of highly trained LGBT men and women who serve in the US Armed Forces and casts qualified people out of the military. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283) would repeal this discriminatory policy;
Federal law already prohibits discrimination based upon race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender and disability. LGBT citizens and residents are subjected to widespread workplace discrimination in hiring, retention, equal pay and promotion, with no Federal laws protecting them. The Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA), H.R. 2981 & 3017 would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by private sector employers and local, State and Federal governments. ENDA would also provide a comprehensive Federal prohibition of employment discrimination against LGBT citizens and residents, including meaningful and effective remedies for any such discrimination;
Several States recognize same-sex marriages and grant to these couples all respective State rights and responsibilities intrinsic to the institution of marriage. Couples who are legally married under the laws of one State, whether heterosexual or homosexual, are entitled to have those marriages recognized by the Federal government and by every other State, as stipulated in the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution. The so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) has had the pernicious effect of creating two classes of citizens: heterosexual couples, who are granted all the rights and benefits marriage offers, and same-sex couples, whose rights and benefits with respect to taxation, health care, inheritance, immigration, etc are not recognized by either the Federal government or by most States;
President Obama has boldly spoken of the need to enhance the rights of America’s LGBT citizens and residents and has already taken many laudable steps at achieving this goal in the first year of his Administration;
President Obama is to be commended for declaring his intention to pass ENDA and to repeal "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act.
BE IT RESOLVED that Democrats Abroad
Supports President Obama for his stand on LGBT issues
And
Urges Congress to act swiftly to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA, H.R. 2981, H.R. 3017) and the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283), and to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
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