Rights for lgbtq
LGBTQ+ Rights
LGBTQ+ young people are over-represented in government service systems, where they are more likely to encounter discrimination, abuse, and neglect. Children’s Rights is fighting for laws and policies that ensure all Gay youth have explicit non-discrimination protections and equitable access to affirming services and supports.
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THE ISSUE
A disproportionate number of the over , kids in the foster system spot as lesbian, gay, multi-attracted , trans, and questioning (LGBTQ+). They are young people of color and from low-income families. Systemic racism, discrimination, and poverty disproportionately drive LGBTQ+ youth out of their homes and communities and into youth welfare systems.
My heart goes out to all the people who live in homes that aren&#;t accepting right now. They can&#;t be themselves freely.”
-Jessie, Georgia, Fostering Inequity Report
Once in the system, LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to experience discrimination, abuse, and neglect. At times, they’re subjected to dangerous tries to change their orientation or gender identity, in
LGBTQ Rights
The ACLU has a long history of defending the LGBTQ community. We brought our first LGBTQ rights case in Founded in , the Jon L. Stryker and Slobodan Randjelović LGBTQ & HIV Undertaking brings more LGBTQ rights cases and advocacy initiatives than any other national organization does and has been counsel in seven of the nine LGBTQ rights cases that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided. With our attain into the courts and legislatures of every state, there is no other organization that can match our log of making progress both in the courts of rule and in the court of universal opinion.
The ACLU’s current priorities are to end discrimination, harassment and violence toward transgender people, to close gaps in our federal and state civil rights laws, to block protections against discrimination from being undermined by a license to discriminate, and to protect LGBTQ people in and from the criminal legal system.
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For non-LGBTQ issues, please contact your local ACLU affiliate.
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LGBTQ+ Discrimination Rights
You have the right to access and utilize widespread accommodations: In the State of California, it is illegal to discriminate against people using universal accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation or gender individuality.
You have the right to use the restroom consistent with your gender identity: You hold the right to use the restroom consistent with your gender identity both in public settings, like schools, and at your workplace. As an employee in California, you have a right to safe and appropriate restroom facilities. Your employer cannot dictate which restroom you use. If your place of employment has single-stall restrooms, they must be labeled as “All Gender,” “Unisex,” “Gender Neutral,” or something similar.
You have the right to rent property without fear of discrimination in California. The federal Unbiased Housing Act prohibits sex discrimination by most landlords and, as the Supreme Court held in (Bostock v. Clayton County), discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is sex
LGBTQ Rights
Know your rights Back to Realize Your Rights main page
The legal landscape for LGBTQ people is constantly evolving. If you think you have been discriminated against and would like our assistance, please visit our Report LGBTQ and HIV Discrimination Page and we can help you figure out whether you are protected under federal or state laws.
Can an employer discriminate against me because of my sexual orientation or gender identity?
Your rights
Employers with 15 or more employees are prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act from discriminating on the basis of sex. Some courts have ruled that Title VII also bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Supreme Court recently announced it will take up this question in three cases. In addition, many states and cities own laws that ban this kind of discrimination.
If you believe that your rights have been violated
If you think that you own experienced discrimination at perform, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),