Speakers and delegates at last week’s Democratic National Convention made history by including an affirmation of same-sex marriage in their party’s platform. In doing so, they became the first major U.S. political party to make such an endorsement.
With that, Democrats should be lauded for their dedication to the advancement of LGBT rights and equality.
However, with so much attention on the issue of marriage, many seem to forget that there are other important issues that more directly affect the daily lives of LGBT individuals — including UNC graduates looking for work.
Issues that should be prioritized instead are employment non-discrimination and anti-bullying legislation, among other areas where the LGBT community faces discrimination.
While there’s no denying that marriage equality is and should be one of the ultimate political goals of the LGBT community, its passage doesn’t necessarily translate to full, equal protection under the law.
With a stagnant economy and few job prospects for recent college graduates and the unemployed, members of the LGBT community can’t afford not to have employment non-discrimination legislation in place to protect them once they are hired.
Gaining marriage equality would be a fantastic milestone for the community, but it won’t affect the fact that an employer can fire an employee on the basis of his or her sexual orientation.
Making the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and other pro-LGBT legislation a priority before marriage equality not only makes sense but is something that would expand important protections.
Such legislation is contingent upon a bipartisan effort to make its passage a reality. There’s no denying that most Republican politicians don’t support same-sex marriage; many of them simply are not there yet. However, there are those within the GOP who, despite opposing marriage, support other protections for LGBT people.
