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Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, but many states lack state-level hate crime laws that cover sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity are punishable by federal law under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Some states allow adoption by all couples, while others ban all unmarried couples from adoption.
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Policies regarding adoption vary greatly between jurisdictions. Hodges (though Mississippi did not have its same-sex adoption ban struck down by a federal court until March 2016). Adoption of children by same-sex married couples is legal nationwide since June 2015 following the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. The Equality Act, which is currently proposed in the United States Congress, would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity nationwide. outlaw discrimination based on gender identity or expression.
#Pence says no gay pride flags plus#
Twenty-three states plus Washington, D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, and twenty-two states plus Washington, D.C. LGBT-related anti-discrimination law regarding housing and private and public services varies by state, leaving residents of some states unprotected. In five landmark rulings between the years 19, the Supreme Court invalidated a state law banning protected class recognition based upon homosexuality, struck down sodomy laws nationwide, struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, made same-sex marriage legal nationwide, and prohibited employment discrimination against gay and transgender employees. Many LGBT rights in the United States have been established by the United States Supreme Court. Many LGBT Americans still continue to face legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents, particularly in states with large conservative populations, such as in the Deep South, many parts of the Midwest, in rural areas, and in some Native American tribal nations. Additionally, in many states and municipalities, LGBT Americans are explicitly protected from discrimination in employment, housing, and access to public accommodations. Beginning with Massachusetts in 2004, LGBT Americans had won the right to marry in all 50 states by 2015. Until 1962, all 50 states criminalized same-sex sexual activity, but by 2003 all remaining laws against same-sex sexual activity had been invalidated.
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT) rights in the United States have increased significantly over time, however, LGBT people in the USA may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Sexual orientation and gender identity in employment nationwide since June 2020,