Expanding Definitions of Family in Federal Laws
Federal statutory definitions of family often fail to reflect the wide diversity of family structures in the United States, which can be particularly harmful to members of the LGBTQ community.
Family Recognition
Unequal Application of the Marital Presumption of Parentage for Same-Sex Parents
The scope of the marital presumption of parentage must be expanded to be more LGBTQ-inclusive.
Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination Took a Foster Child From Her Loving Foster Dads
John Freml—whose foster daughter was taken from his home—is one of a growing number of LGBTQ individuals who has faced discrimination in adoption and foster care.
Welcoming All Families
Religious exemptions allowing child placing agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ prospective parents will likely reduce the number of families available to adopt, further overburdening the child welfare system and harming the best interests of children in care.
The Harms of Refusing Service to LGBTQ People and Other Marginalized Communities
New research shows that, in addition to negatively impacting mental and physical health, discriminatory service refusals undermine LGBTQ people’s access to services.
People Need Paid Leave Policies That Cover Chosen Family
Nearly one-third of people in the United States have taken leave to support a chosen family member’s health needs—but public policy largely fails to support them.
Making Paid Leave Work for Every Family
Inconsistent and restrictive family definitions have historically marginalized many families, but improvements can be made to serve a fuller range of diverse family structures, especially LGBTQ families.
Fired for Being Who I Am: The Fight for LGBT Equality Continues
Despite historic progress on LGBT rights, many LGBT people and their families still face serious and life-altering discrimination in their daily lives.
Clear Guidance on Humanitarian Parole Is Needed to Reunite Same-Sex Partners Who Are Unable to Legally Marry
Even with marriage equality, same-sex couples continue to face separation under U.S. immigration laws.
A Handful of Elected State Judges Continue to Deny Marriage Equality
Judges and magistrates in some southern states are still defying the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage equality decision.
Filling in the Map: The Need for LGBT Data Collection
Federally supported population surveys need to keep up with the growing visibility of LGBT issues by beginning to routinely collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Their Baby Was Denied Access to Care Because They Are Gay
LGBT couple Krista and Jami Contreras discuss what happened when they took their infant daughter to the pediatrician for the first time.
Strengthening Child Welfare Systems by Resisting LGBT Discrimination
Religious exemption laws would deny loving homes to vulnerable youth.
Hospital Visitation and Medical Decision Making for Same-Sex Couples
We must take action to ensure that regulations giving same-sex couples and domestic partners visitation and medical decision-making rights are respected and enforced.
A Cheap Shot: 4 State Governors Are Denying Same-Sex Military Spouses the Benefits They Have Earned
Although the Supreme Court struck down key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act, anti-gay, activist governors still refuse to treat same-sex military spouses equally at National Guard installations.