Monday, November 30, 2009

Florida drops to #43 on the States of Equality Scorecard

Although Florida ranks in the top 10 states for contributions to national, state and local
GLBT organizations, our state ranks #43
(out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia) when it comes to GLBT equality.

Only Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee
rank lower than Florida!

This following information was received from eQualityGiving, whose
mission is to grow and support an online community of donors by providing free services and strategic advice to achieve legal equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans.

For more information on eQualityGiving, click here.
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As you can see by clicking here, the table shows that out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Florida ranks #43 on the States of Equality Scorecard -- with only 2.0 out of a possible 6 points.
  • There is no statewide law prohibiting discrimination based either "sexual orientation" or "gender identity or expression."
  • There is a statewide law prohibiting gay men and lesbians from adopting children.
  • Both the Florida Constitution and state statutes prohibit gay men and lesbians from marrying their partners.
  • While the Jeffrey Johnston Stand up for All Students Act specifically prohibits "sexual, religious, or racial harassment", the law makes no reference to either "sexual orientation" or "gender identity or expression."
Here is the information from the eQuality Giving web page.


Are you a second class citizen in your own state? Review state by state comparisons of the score on equality and gay rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans.

The score indicates the number of Equality Goals that have been reached in that state. Each "YES" gives 1 point. Half a point is given for partial achievement of an Equality Goal. One of the seven Equality Goals (repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell") is mostly a federal level goal. Therefore, at the state level, the maximum score is 6.

To access the state by state chart,
click here

ANALYSIS
(50 states + District of Columbia)
  • No state provides full equality to the LGBTQ population (i.e. a score of 6).
  • Four states: California, New Jersey, Iowa, and Vermont, achieve a rating of 5.5 out of 6. California and New Jersey can achieve the perfect score of 6 by converting civil unions (New Jersey) or domestic partnerships (California) to civil marriage. Iowa can reach a score of 6 by ensuring full parenting rights in all cases. Vermont can achieve a score of 6 by protecting the transgender population more (in particular: do not show "amended" birth certificates when changing gender).
  • One other state (Connecticut) score 5 out 6.
  • However, half of the states satisfy none or just one of the 6 Equality Goals that are required to ensure that LGBTQ people have the same legal protections as everyone else.
  • Massachusetts scores only 4.5 despite that if offers marriage equality. This is because it falls short in transgender protections in hate crimes, non discrimination, anti-bullying, and providing new birth certificates.
  • Passing federal legislation on an Equality Goal would increase every state score by 1.

RECENT HISTORY
  • On October 28, 2009 President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
  • On November 4, 2008 voters placed a constitutional ban on marriages in Arizona, California, and Florida. Arizona and Florida already had laws prohibiting same-sex marriages. But, in California same-sex couples had a constitutional right to marry; this right was taken away by voters.
  • On October 10, 2008 the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the civil unions that the legislature approved for the state violated the Connecticut constitution and the state had to provide marriage to same-sex couples. But the federal government still does not recognize those marriages and does not allow to serve openly in the military. On November 4, 2008 voters rejected a call to have a Constitutional Convention in Connecticut. Therefore, the right to marry is secure in Connecticut (like in Massachusetts).
  • In May 2008, the Florida legislature passed anti-bullying legislation (but it does not enumerate protected classes).
  • In May 2008, Maryland became the 7th state with anti-bullying legislation that specifically protects youth because of their sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.