Equal rights for gays
LGBTQ Rights
The ACLU has a long history of defending the LGBTQ community. We brought our first LGBTQ rights case in 1936. Founded in 1986, the Jon L. Stryker and Slobodan Randjelović LGBTQ & HIV Project brings more LGBTQ rights cases and advocacy initiatives than any other national organization does and has been counsel in seven of the nine LGBTQ rights cases that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided. With our reach into the courts and legislatures of every state, there is no other organization that can match our write down of making progress both in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion.
The ACLU’s current priorities are to end discrimination, harassment and violence toward trans person people, to close gaps in our federal and state civil rights laws, to prevent protections against discrimination from being undermined by a license to discriminate, and to guard LGBTQ people in and from the criminal legal system.
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For non-LGBTQ issues, please contact your local ACLU affiliate.
The ACLU Lesbian Gay Pansexual Transgender Project seeks to create a just community for all LGBTQ people regardless of race or income. Thr
LGBTQ+ Rights
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Yes | No | No opinion | |
---|---|---|---|
% | % | % | |
2023 May 1-24 | 39 | 60 | * |
2021 May 3-18 | 31 | 69 | * |
Should be legal | Should not be legal | No opinion | |
---|---|---|---|
% | % | % | |
2021 May 3-18 ^ | 79 | 18 | 2 |
2020 May 1-13 | 72 | 24 | 3 |
2019 May 1-12 | 73 | 26 | 2 |
2018 May 1-10 | 75 | 23 | 2 |
2017 May 3-7 | 72 | 23 | 5 |
2016 May 4-8 | 68 | 28 | 4 |
2015 Jul 8-12 | 68 | 28 | 4 |
2015 May 6-10 | 69 | 28 | 4 |
2014 May 8-11 | 66 | 30 | 4 |
2013 Jul 10-14 | 64 | 31 | 5 |
2013 May 2-7 | 65 | 31 | 5 |
2012 Nov 26-29 | 64 | 33 | 3 |
2012 May 3-6 | 63 | 31 | 6 |
2011 Dec 15-18 | 62 | 33 | 5 |
2011 May 5-8 | 64 | 32 | 4 |
2010 May 3-6 | 58 | 36 | 6 |
2009 May 7-10 | 56 | 40 | 4 |
2008 May 8-11 ^ | 55 | 40 | 5 |
2007 May 10-13 | 59 | 37 | 4 |
2006 May 8-11 † | 56 | 40 | 4 |
2005 Aug 22-25 | 49 | 44 | 7 |
2005 May 2-5 | 52 | 43 | 5 |
2004 May 2-4 | 52 | 43 | 5 |
2004 Jan 9-11 | 46 | 49 | 5 |
2003 Jul 25-2 The human rights of female homosexual, gay, bisexual, transgender, lgbtq+, 2-spirit and intersex personsCanada stands up for the protection and promotion of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans person, queer, 2-spirit and intersex (LGBTQ2I) people globally. The human rights of all persons are universal and indivisible. Everyone should enjoy the same fundamental human rights, regardless of their sexual orientation and their gender identity and expression. Article 1 of the Universal Announcement of Human Rights declares that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Article 2 declares, “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration.” All people, including LGBTQ2I individuals, are entitled to enjoy the protection provided by international human rights law, which is based on equality and non-discrimination. Nearly 30 countries, including Canada, recognize homosexual marriage. By contrast, more than 70 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex behavior. This includes 6 countries that effectively impose the death penalty on consensual same-sex sexual acts. In 6 other countries, the death penalt LGBT Equality IndexEquality Index MethodologyEqualdex's Equality Index is a rating from 0 to 100 (with 100 being the most equal) to aide visualize the legal rights and widespread attitudes towards Gay (lesbian, gay, multi-attracted , transgender, queer, questioning, intersex...) people in each region. The Equality Index is an average of two indexes: the legal index and the public view Index. Equality Index Legal IndexThe LGBT legal index measures the current legal status of 13 other issues ranging from the legal status of homosexuality, queer marriage, transgender rights, LGBT discrimination protections, LGBT censorship laws, and more. Each topic is weighted differently (for example, if same-sex marriage is illegal in a region, it would have a much bigger impact on the score than not allowing LGBT people to serve in the military). Each topic is assigned a "total possible score" and a "score" is assigned based the status of the law using a rating scale that ranges from 0% to 100% (for example, if homosexuality is legal, it would would receive a score of 100, but if it's illegal, it would receve a score of 0.)
One Million Voices for EqualityRight now, we must unite in defiance by using our collective voice — because our people are our dominance, and our stories deserve to be heard. That’s why we are launching the One Million Voices for Equality campaign — and we want to perceive from you. Share Your Story Breaking down barriers that distribute usWe are more strong together than apart, and we’ve never been more energized or more focused. Our work centers on three pillars of action to end discrimination and fight for modify at every level — and for every single one of us. Making history is what we do!Since 1980, we’ve led the way in fighting for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. Fronts for EqualityA newly energized and passionate force of LGBTQ+ people and allies is calling attention to the most urgent opportunities for change — and making that change a truths. Your voice has never been more importantJoin us on the right side of history. We represent a force of over 3 million members and supporters, brought together by our passion to recognize a truly matching society. Our power reflects each individual’s personal commitment to helping the Gay communit |