Compiled by GayToday
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
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Washington, D.C.--Civil rights, domestic partnerships, and safe schools
highlight early 2002 activity in state legislatures across the nation
according to a report issued Friday by the National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force.
NGLTF has tracked more than 400 bills, approximately 250
of these are favorable and 160 are unfavorable. Considering only
GLBT-related (non-HIV/AIDS) bills, there are 195 favorable and 113
unfavorable bills. |
 New York Gov. George Pataki wants the state legislature to pass an anti-disrimination law pending for the last 31 years |
"Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender activists continue to
promote equality and justice in every state in the nation,"
said Lorri L. Jean, executive director of the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force.
"The opening of this legislative session marks
the fourth consecutive year that favorable measures to have
outnumbered unfavorable measures, and this year the margin is greater
than ever."
The following key developments have marked the beginning of the 2002
state legislative season:
In Delaware, hundreds of supporters attended a January hearing on
House Bill 99 in the Senate Small Business Committee. The bill would
add sexual orientation to the list of prohibited grounds of
discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, public works
contracting, public accommodations, and insurance.
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Two Colorado bills have passed out of their appropriate
committees. Senate Bill 9 will add sexual orientation and gender
identity to the state hate crimes law. Senate Bill 74 will add
sexual orientation and gender identity to the state law prohibiting
discrimination in employment.
New York Governor George Pataki urged state lawmakers in his
"State of the State" address to pass the thirty-one year old
anti-discrimination bill, which bans discrimination based on sexual
orientation.
South Carolina leads the way in mean-spirited legislation this year
with two bills that would prohibit "homosexuals and bisexuals" from
adopting children or serving as foster parents, withhold state funding
from public and private entities that offer health insurance to
domestic partners, and prohibit educational institutions from
including sexual orientation in anti-discrimination policies.
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Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
Bills Outlawing Job Discrimination Unveiled in 12 States
Hate Crimes Massively Underreported by Local Law Officials
Civil Rights Legislation in 3 States--New York Vote Looms
Related Sites:
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
Previous state legislative sessions
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"These few examples show both how fare we have come and how far we
have to go," said Jean.
"At the same time we are making incredible progress in outlawing discrimination,
there are Draconian measures such as the anti-adoption bills in South Carolina. An emphasis on strengthening state and local organizing efforts continues to be a
focus of our work."
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