PLATFORM : The Bill of Wrongs We Live Under

As America continues its celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights, lesbian and gay Americans want to remind our fellow citizens that many of us live under a Bill of Wrongs. Lesbians and gay men are denied fundamental rights solely on the basis of sexual orientation. In a country founded on equality and freedom, lesbians and gay men are treated as inherently unequal. Gay men and women face legalized discrimination, amounting to a Bill of Wrongs, which in essence says:

I: Lesbians and gay men shall be subject to discrimination in hiring, promotion and other aspects of employment.

II: Lesbians and gay men shall not be permitted to protect their country by serving in the nation’s armed forces.

III: Lesbians and gay men shall be subject to discrimination in housing.

IV: Lesbians and gay men shall be denied the right to marry or to have their committed relationships lawfully recognized.

V: Lesbians and gay men shall be denied the right to adopt and retain custody of their children to the same extent as heterosexuals.

VI: Lesbians and gay men shall not be permitted to protect their committed partners under employee health-insurance plans, and shall be denied tax benefits that are taken for granted by married heterosexual couples.

VII: Lesbians and gay men shall be discriminated against, and their committed relationships shall not be recognized, for purposes of immigration into these United States.

VIII: Artistic expressions by gay and lesbian artists shall be denied the support of governmental institutions.

IX: Lesbians and gay men shall be denied the right of privacy, and shall be subject to discriminatory treatment under state law.

X: Lesbians and gay men shall not be entitled to live freely and openly to the same extent as other citizens, but shall lawfully be subjected to abuse, harassment and threats of violence from anti-gay groups, public officials and private individuals.

All citizens deserve to be treated equally--with respect, dignity and freedom from arbitrary discrimination. Lesbians and gay men deserve the same basic rights--to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness--as other Americans. No one should be made to suffer based on sexual orientation. We call on all who believe in liberty and justice for all to help right this Bill of Wrongs.