How to Deal With Gay Discrimination

America has become a melting pot of cultures from around the world. As the country grows, so does diversity. From big cities to the smallest towns, people are different in a variety of ways--from the way they look to their sexual orientation, and every difference presents a new opportunity for discrimination. If you find that you or someone you know is being discriminated against based on their sexual preference, here's how to handle it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Realize that discrimination does not happen only in the workplace. Officials can discriminate against homosexuals when they gather together to express themselves. Schools ban groups from meeting, city officials deny the right for the group to protest, police shut down parades for false basis and groups with official memberships may be forced to close down. These are all forms of discrimination based solely on the sexual orientation of the people involved.
2. Familiarize yourself with the laws in your state to handle discrimination. Some states have formal laws on the books to protect employees from being fired because of their sexual orientation, but many do not. Federal laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, and sex, but remember that "sex" refers to simply being male or female, not being gay. Sexual preference is something completely different and is not federally protected.
3. Read your rental or lease agreement carefully. Because laws protecting gays are few and far between, landlords have the right to outline what kind of conduct they permit in their contracts. Rent controlled or co-op housing reserve the right to screen potential tenants for appropriateness as they see fit.
4. Prepare to handle discrimination when asking for consideration as a family. The most public war against homosexuals is in the same-sex marriage arena. Gay couples fight for the right to marry, seek child support and custody but many state and federal laws are stacked against them. Public housing generally gives preference to families and gay or lesbian couples living together are not considered a family and thus fall to the bottom of the waiting list.
5. Seek help from organizations dedicated to helping end discrimination against gay and lesbians. Many nation-wide organizations, such as Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD), have local chapters and can offer advice and refer lawyers who are experienced in representing cases similar to one you may be facing (see Resources below).