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LGBT Rights: The Fight for Equality

Imagine we are in a parallel universe where being a member of the LGBTQ community

is the norm, you get married and the day after you come back from your honeymoon you go back

to work. You walk in and all your things are neatly packed up and there is a letter waiting for

you. You anxiously open the letter and it is only there to tell you that you have been fired, the

only explanation; you married into a heterosexual relationship. According to Luke Malone from

Vocativ, There are still 32 states where it is legal for employers to discriminate against LGBTQ

workers (Malone). There have also been studies done that show how LGBTQ workers are less

likely to get called back for interviews with federal contractors (Terkel). Even though some

people believe employers have the right to chose who they have working for them, there

should be laws in place in order to protect members of the LGBTQ community in the

workplace from discrimination in North Carolina because the US is a country that

promotes freedom and equality, workers sexual orientation does not define them, and other

states in the US have placed laws to protect LGBTQ members from discrimination.

Since the U.S is a country that promotes freedom and equality, there should be laws in

place in order to protect LGBTQ workers in the workplace from discrimination in North

Carolina. America's Declaration of Independence states, We hold these truths to be self-evident,

that all men are created equal (Declaration of Independence). Being that this country is based on

these morals everyone should have the right to this equality no matter their sexual orientation.

According to Luke Malone, If you work for the state, your measure of job performance is no

longer the quality of your work, but rather who you love (Malone). Since there are no laws in

place to protect members of the LGBTQ community it is easier for them to lose their jobs even
though they should be treated equally in the eyes of the government. This shows how important

laws to protect them are necessary. Laws like those have been put in place to protect different

races and genders exist in the U.S, so why not for LGBTQ members?

There are currently laws in place to protect people from discrimination in the workplace, an

example is the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 that protects the rights of those of

different races and genders (Dichter). As Dichter states, The Act brings together 116 pieces of

equality legislation concerning sex, race, disability, religion or belief, and age and seeks to adopt

a single approach where appropriate (Dichter). Even though there are laws in the workplace to

protect others based on certain aspects their lives there are none to protect from discrimination

on sexual orientation. North Carolina must protect their workers rights because they are equal

and should be treated in the same manner as their hetersexuals counterparts. Another reason why

there should be laws to protect them in North Carolina is that besides being discriminated in the

workplace they are also not allowed the same worker benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.

In North Carolina and most of the United States there are no laws in place in order for

LGBTQ members to have equal benefits. Studies have shown how even though two employees

can have the same job and be doing the same work, A series of federal and state laws deny the

LGBTQ worker equal access to worker and family benefitsas well as family tax relief

(LGBTQ Workers Movement Advancement Project). LGBTQ members are not given the same

benefits at work as their heterosexual counterparts. This is unjust because if they are doing the

same work as their co-workers they should get the same benefits. Another reason why North

Carolina should make laws to protect members of the LGBT community is because their sexual

orientation does not define them.

 Someone's sexual orientation does not define them and that is why there should be laws in

place in order to protect LGBTQ workers in the workplace from discrimination in North

Carolina. An employee's work ethics are not affected by their sexual orientation. According to

the article LGBTQ Workers. Movement Advancement Project, no matter what the person's

sexual orientation is, LGBTQ employees work just as hard as their non-LGBTQ counterparts

but face multiple barriers to fair and equal treatment (LGBTQ Workers Movement

Advancement Project). Their sexual orientation does not cause them to work less than anyone

else and it is unfair that they are faced with barriers because their sexual orientation does not

impact the lives of those around them. Laws should be in place because they should not face

barriers based only on their sexual orientation but rather on how hard and efficiently they work.

One of the barriers they face is the fact that they are less likely to get called back on a job offer.

Many LGBTQ applicants are less likely to get called back instead of an equally trained

applicant. In her article Terkel states, Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees were 23

percent less likely to be called back for interviews with federal contractors when compared with

similar -- but less qualified -- non-LGBTQ applicants, according to a new study (Terkel). It is

unfair that the LGBTQ community is less likely to get called back on a job offer just because

they are not heterosexual. Studies show how many companies are not giving them a fair chance

at getting the job they want and deserve. They are also making a lot less than a heterosexual

counterpart.

A LGBTQ worker earns a lot less than a heterosexual man, even when qualifications are

equal or even greater for the LGBTQ worker. As Gaille stated in his article, 37 Shocking

LGBTQ Discrimination Statistics." The LGBTQ community earns as little as $0.68 for every
dollar that a heterosexual man earns, even when qualifications are equal or even greater for the

LGBTQ worker (Gaille). This means that a member of the LGBTQ community has to work

about 40% more hours than that heterosexual man in order to make the same amount of money.

This is unfair because everyone should have an equal chance to make the same amount of money

for the same work. This is a problem in North Carolina, however many other states have already

placed laws to protect their LGBTQ workers.

North Carolina is falling behind when it comes to making laws to protect the rights of its

citizens other states in the US have placed laws to protect LGBTQ members from discrimination.

Laws have been put in place in 18 states in order to protect their LGBTQ workers. According to

Luke Malone malone what?, Just 18 states (and D.C.) currently prohibit discrimination based on

sexual orientation and gender identity for all residents, including state employees (Malone). As

the figure above shows, LGBTQ workers are only completely protected from discrimination in

36% of the states in the U.S, yet another 36% of the states offer no protection at all (Malone). 18

out of 50 states have already begun a movement to protect the rights of the LGBTQ members

meaning that soon enough there will be federal laws in place making all 50 states protect

members of the LGBTQ community. There should soon be laws in North Carolina because they

are necessary to protect the rights of all workers. It is inevitable because there are already people

pushing for a change.

Making laws to protect LGBTQ members is inevitable because many movements have

started in order to pass federal laws. In the article The Leadership Conference on Civil and

Human Rights, Legislative attempts to enact anti-bias laws protecting gay men and lesbians

have occurred at the federal, state and local level (The Leadership Conference on Civil and

Human Rights). Many laws have been put in place in other places, but North Carolina, one of the
32 states that does not protect the rights of LGBTQ members has no laws against discrimination

in the workplace. States like California, Nevada, and Maine already have laws that prohibit

based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There have even been laws passed on the federal

level because of the Supreme Court's ruling on marriage equality.

The supreme court has already ruled that members of the LGBTQ community can get

married they will soon require for equality in the workplace. According to the article Why the

Equality Act? Even though the Supreme Courts ruling has brought marriage equality to all 50

states, 31 states still lack clear, fully-inclusive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ

people, meaning that despite the ruling, LGBTQ Americans can get legally married but still be at

risk of being denied services for who they are or risk being fired simply for getting married and

wearing their wedding ring to the office the next day (Why the Equality Act?). Movements in

the federal government have already begun in order to protect everyone in the workplace and

more laws are to come with the recent ruling of marriage equality by the Supreme Court.

Many other sources however, argue that employers have the right to chose who they have

in their company. Many say that the first amendment gives the employer their freedom of speech

and the state does not require they hire members of the LGBTQ community. According to The

Progressive Cynic, Gay marriage and equal protections for homosexuals should be left up to the

states and employers (The Progressive Cynic). This shows how people who argue that there

should not be laws to protect LGBTQ members want the decisions to be left to the people in

charge of the company. While this position is

logical it is unjust and it is happening in the state

of North Carolina. It is against the rights of the

LGBTQ members in the workforce and the

government should have certain measures to protect them from this discrimination.

Others claim that employees have the right to say as they please and the LGBTQ member

does not have to work at the company if they feel discriminated against. In an article by The

Progressive Cynic it states, It is a violation of the 1st Amendment to ban religious people from

discriminating against gays (The Progressive Cynic). This quote means that people think that

they should have the right to discriminate someone based on their sexual orientation just because

they have the right to freedom of speech. What this argument overlooks is that while they are

discriminating against LGBTQ members they are violating the rights of the LGBTQ members. If

there are laws in place to protect those of different religions there should be laws in place to

protect them based on their sexual orientation.

Conservatives still believe that the LGBTQ community does not need extra protection.

According to Malone, "Kansas Governor Sam Brownback repealed state employee protection

rights on Tuesday for LGBTQ workers, reversing an order that former Governor Kathleen

Sebelius enacted in 2007. He says he did it to ensure that state employees enjoy the same civil

rights as all Kansans without creating additional protected classes (Malone). Some people are

failing to realize that members of the LGBTQ community are being discriminated against and

believe that they do not need extra protection. However the research has shown how people are

treated differently because of their sexual orientation. There have also been laws passed in times

before to do the same for women and people of color.

In conclusion, laws should be in place to protect LGBTQ members from discrimination

in the workplace. As a society that survives on freedom and equality these rights should be

shared among all of those that live in it. The sexual orientation of somone should not determine

their future in the workfield. Even though it will take many years for people to be treated equally
no matter their race, religion, or sexual orientation, having laws to protect them is a great way to

start. Many claim that homosexuality goes against their morals or religion, but they should also

consider how their morals and religions also suggest and teach the importance of being kind and

accepting of others. Creating these laws will not have any negative effects on anyone because it

is only granting the equality that LGBTQ members lack yet deserve.
 Works Cited

Burns, Crosby. "Gay and Transgender People Face High Rates of Workplace Discrimination and

Harassment." Center for American Progress. 02 June 2011. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

"Employment Discrimination Against LGBTQ Workers." Williams Institute. 30 Oct. 2013. Web.

09 Nov. 2015.

Gaille, Brandon. "37 Shocking LGBTQ Discrimination Statistics." BrandonGaillecom. 14 Jan.

2015. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

"LGBTQ Workers." Movement Advancement Project. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

Malone, Luke. "Here Are The 32 States Where You Can Be Fired For Being LGBTQ." Vocativ.

12 Feb. 2015. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

Terkel, Amanda. "LGBTQ Applicants Less Likely To Be Called Back For Interviews With

Federal Contractors, Study Shows." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 30 June 2014.

Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

"Why the Equality Act?" Human Rights Campaign. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

Wong, Curtis M. "LGBTQ Rights Advocates Sound Off On Why It's Getting Harder For The

Republican Party To Oppose Gay Marriage." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 16

Apr. 2015. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.