In the News

We Need a Federal LGBT Non-Discrimination Act

Neera Tanden and former Gov. Ted Strickland call for a comprehensive LGBT nondiscrimination bill at the federal level.

The story of America is the story of an ever widening circle of opportunity, one where our definition of ‘We The People’ becomes more inclusive. But while marriage equality has swept the country – and as the fight to expand equal rights to every state continues – our nation’s progress on marriage only serves to highlight further the areas where lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people still lack basic legal protections in their workplaces and communities. In the 14 states which have marriage equality but lack basic LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination laws, same-sex couples can now get married but can then still be legally denied a hotel room for their honeymoon or fired from their job for putting a photo of their spouse on their desk.  It’s time for Congress to pass a comprehensive bill offering LGBT Americans the same protections from discrimination as everyone else.

The above excerpt was originally published in Newsweek. Click here to view the full article.

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Authors

 (Neera Tanden)

Neera Tanden

Former President and CEO of the Center for American Progress

Gov. Ted Strickland

President of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Counselor to the Center for American Progress