FYI for the LGBT, Part I---The United States & You.

2010 was a frightening year for U.S. Liberals and Progressives. Health care reform
ditched the public option. The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was headed nowhere.
Democrats lost control of the House and many were questioning the President's
loyalty to his base. Yet, in the midst of all that gloom, sunshine appeared to me in
the form of a news article:

"For the first time in polling history, polls show a majority of Americans support
legal recognition of same-sex unions..."

Okay, it wasn't overwhelming. But it happened. Last year, every major poll in the
U.S.--from the "fair and balanced" *gag* FOXNews to CNN--showed an increase in
the percentage of Americans who support civil unions, domestic partnerships and/
or the full entitlement of marriage for LGBT couples. From the staunchest of liberals
and progressives to the daughters and wives of Republican candidates--the LGBT
movement has a growing number of allies. We are not alone.

I just wanted to remind my readers of that before we head into the darkness...

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Q: Which states legally hate me the most if I'm LGBT?
A: 41 states have either a statute or amendment to the their constitutions banning
same-sex marriage. 18 of those 41 states have constitutional amendments which
ban not only marriage, but any form of legal recognition. That's where we'll start
to get this answer. 5 of the 18 states prohibit adoption by any LGBT person. 14 of
the 18 have no workplace anti-discrimination laws for LGBT employees. Also, 14
states had their sodomy laws thrown out by the Supreme Court (every other state had
stripped the law on its own.) 3 states fit all of the above categories--*drum roll,
please*--Arkansas, Oklahoma and Utah. In other news, the sky is blue...

Q: So where can I get hitched--you know--legally?
A: LGBT couples can be married and receive the same legal protections as any
other couple in 5 states: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

Q: Which states grant civil unions/domestic partnerships?
A: Although not defined as 'marriage', many states have found a way around the
word itself to give rights to LGBT couples through civil unions and domestic
partnerships. Many of these states grant full rights to same-sex couples, while
others give only a fraction: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine,
Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

Q: Aren't there some states that are legally--umm--'sitting on the fence'?
A: Yep. Take the most recently mentioned state, which has given us the
uber-progressive city of Madison (not to mention some awesome cheese.)
"The Badger State" voted to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage and
anything remotely like it in 2006. Oddly enough, its legislators passed
domestic partnership in 2009. While same-sex marriages, civil unions and
domestic partnerships are not currently performed, New York and New
Mexico will honor your existing union or marriage, should you become a
resident. Rhode Island, perhaps suffering from a "Napoleon complex", has
never officially said anything either way.

Q: So, which states absolutely love me if I'm LGBT?
A: The small, yet trailblazing state of Vermont has been in your corner
for years. Theirs was the first court system in the U.S. to give the nod to
legal recognition for LGBT couples (Baker v. Vermont--1999). Neighboring
Massachusetts has some of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination
laws in the country Although every state has its less-accepting areas, New
England, with its pro-marriage laws and social progression is a fantastic
place to be if you're a 'friend of Dorothy.' (Sorry-I've been wanting to use that
for a while.)

Q: Is there any legal recognition for couples who live in a state which
bans same-sex marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships?
A: Yes, but most of it is very convoluted or limited. Two of the states
who legally hate you the most actually have city domestic partnership
registries (Eureka Springs in Arkansas and Salt Lake City in Utah.)
Cities such as San Francisco and New York have far-reaching domestic
partnership benefits, which nearly equal the benefits for married couples.
Other cities with benefits in non-supportive states include Austin, Texas,
Lawrence, Kansas, New Orleans, Louisiana, Atlanta, Georgia, Miami
and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio and Ann
Arbor, Michigan.

Q: Does U.S. federal law protect me from being fired if I'm LGBT?
A: No.

Q: Do state and/or city laws prohibit discrimination against LGBT employees?
A: 13 states/districts have laws protecting both sexual orientation and gender
identity in all employment: California, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Maine,
Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont,
Washington and the District of Columbia.
9 states protect sexual orientation in all employment: Connecticut, Delaware,
Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York
and Wisconsin.
5 states protect sexual orientation and gender identity for state employees only:
Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
5 states protect sexual orientation for state employees only: Alaska, Arizona,
Missouri, Montana and Ohio.
In 140 American cities, you cannot be legally fired for being an LGBT employee.

Q: Do any states have same-sex marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships
on their legislative agendas in 2011?
A: Yes: Arizona (civil unions), Maryland (marriage) and Rhode Island
(marriage).

Q: It's 2011--every state has elected an openly gay politician, right??
A: Well, you'd think so, but no. 5 states have never elected an openly gay official
on any level: Alaska, Kansas, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Next: "FYI for the LGBT, Part II--The World & You."

You'd better take a sedative...