Why Federal LGBTQ+ Protections Are the Next Step in the Fight for Justice
As the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in the United States grows, it leads to celebration and
also to conflict. The general public's acceptance of LGBTQ+ people has grown a lot. An over 70%
of Americans now approve of same-sex marriage, compared to 2004, when only 42% of people
did. This progress equals one of the quickest periods of change in societal attitudes in U.S. history.
Yet, despite these gains, the fight for equality is far from over. Culture wars fueled by anti-LGBTQ+
sentiments are still with us. The result is a host of discriminatory policies that restrict the rights of
transgender and non-binary people. The present struggle for equality is no longer just about the
recognition of ourselves and who we are personally. This fight actually works at the highest
principles of justice and fairness that are critical for a real democracy.
“We’ve seen progress, but progress does not mean the fight is over,” said Sarah Kate Ellis,
President of GLAAD. “Without federal protections, we’re leaving millions of LGBTQ+ Americans
vulnerable to discrimination, and that’s unacceptable.”
We stand at a pivotal moment where federal LGBTQ+ protections are not only overdue but
essential to safeguarding the lives and dignity of millions. Drawing lessons from past civil rights
movements, such as the fight for interracial marriage, it becomes clear that equality for LGBTQ+
individuals is the moral and practical next step toward a more just society.
The Momentum of Progress:
The remarkable shift in public opinion regarding LGBTQ+ rights did not happen in a vacuum.
Grassroots advocacy, legal victories, and the visibility of transgender individuals have collectively
fueled this cultural evolution. The 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which
legalized same-sex marriage, was a landmark moment, but it did not mark the end of this
journey. As of today, 29 states still lack comprehensive anti-discrimination laws protecting
LGBTQ+ individuals, according to the Human Rights Campaign. This means nearly half of LGBTQ+
Americans live in states where they can legally be denied housing, healthcare, or employment
simply because of who they are.
“This isn’t just a legal issue; it’s a human issue,” said Alphonso David, former president of the
Human Rights Campaign. “People are losing their jobs, being kicked out of their homes, and
denied services because of their identity. That’s why federal protections are critical.”
Federal protections are not just about safeguarding rights—they are about affirming dignity.
Without these safeguards, LGBTQ+ individuals remain vulnerable to a patchwork of state-level
laws that offer inconsistent protections. For example, a transgender employee in Florida may
have legal recourse for discrimination, but a transgender employee in Texas may not. This
inequality is fundamentally un-American and stands in stark contrast to the values of justice and
fairness that this country aspires to uphold.
Debunking Counterarguments:
Opponents of federal LGBTQ+ protections quite often frame their arguments around religious
freedom, claiming that granting protections would infringe upon the rights of religious individuals
or organizations. While religious liberty is a cornerstone of American democracy, it needs not be
misused to help discrimination. Historically, this argument has served as a barrier when it comes
to enforcing civil rights, for example, in marriage between races and desegregation. However, in
society, we have always held that the right to practice one's religion cannot be used as a pretext
to deny others their fundamental rights and dignity.
Federal protections can coexist with religious freedom. According to a Public Religion Research
Institute 76% of Americans—including a majority of religious groups—support laws that protect
LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in jobs, housing, and public accommodations. This
demonstrates that the vast majority of Americans, including people of faith, believe fairness and
religious freedom can go hand in hand.
The Human Impact:
Autonomous from the legal and cultural counterarguments, there is simply the undeniable
human suffering caused by discrimination. In this respect, how the lives of LGBTQ+ people have
been affected by systemic inequality is illustrated by stories from the LGBTQ+ community. For
instance, the Trevor Project reports that, in 2022, 42% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously contemplated
suicide, with the numbers being even higher for transgender and non-binary youth.
Discrimination and dearth of legal rights lead to this mental health catastrophe.
Take for instance Aimee Stephens, a transgender woman, who was dismissed from her position at
a funeral home after revealing her gender identity to her boss. Her case went all the way to the
Supreme Court, where she won a landmark victory in 2020. But the fact that her employer’s
actions were even legal at the time underscores the urgent need for comprehensive protections.
“These aren’t abstract hypotheticals—they’re real lives,” said legal scholar Chai Feldblum. “When
someone can be denied basic human rights in one state but protected in another, we undermine
the very fabric of equality.”
Learning from History:
The current struggle for LGBTQ+ rights echoes past civil rights battles. The fight for interracial
marriage, for example, faced similar opposition rooted in tradition and prejudice. Yet, as a nation,
we recognized that equality could not be denied based on such arguments. Just as the landmark
case of Loving v. Virginia dismantled bans on interracial marriage, comprehensive federal
protections for LGBTQ+ individuals have the potential to create lasting change.
These protections are not about granting special rights but ensuring equal ones. They
acknowledge the humanity of LGBTQ+ individuals and reaffirm the values of liberty and justice
for all. As with past civil rights victories, the implementation of these protections would reflect
America’s commitment to progress and equality.
A Call to Action:
The fight for federal LGBTQ+ protections is not just a political issue—it is a moral imperative.
Public opinion shows that Americans overwhelmingly support equality, but this support must
translate into action. Advocacy groups, policymakers, and everyday citizens have a role to play in
pushing for comprehensive legislation. By raising awareness, contacting representatives, and
supporting organizations that fight for LGBTQ+ rights, we can turn this vision into reality.
The progress of the past two decades shows that change is possible, but history also teaches us
that change requires effort, courage, and solidarity. As we navigate the cultural and political
tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, let us remember that justice delayed is justice denied. It is
time for federal protections that affirm the dignity and equality of all Americans, regardless of
who they are or whom they love.
