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"LGBTQ individuals feel the effects of political inaction everyday inside and outside the workplace as their day-to-day lives are threatened." - Owen Stecco

Source: https://www.michigandaily.com/opinion/owen-stecco-need-local-action-employment-discrimination/

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With the Equality Act ( H.R.5) stalled in Congress and a combined lack of political will, local action on LGBTQ+ employment discrimination is imperative. Currently, 44 percent of the LGBTQ+ population lives in states without LGBTQ+ protection policies despite exclusionary workplaces holding economies back. The Judiciary has shifted to the ideological right under President Donald Trump, resulting in the elimination of a route for employment protections. In lieu of federal action on the issue of employment discrimination, state and local governments must act to safeguard LGBTQ+ individuals and promote economic development.

The federal government and 26 states do not have employment protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, resulting in second-class status for LGBTQ+ citizens. One in four LGBTQ+-identifying persons reported experiencing workplace discrimination in 2016 and too often they stand unprotected and vulnerable. The community feels vulnerable due to the frequent targeting from majority groups and a lack of protection under the law. With nearly one-third of transgender individuals living in poverty, 40 percent of homeless youth identifying as LGBTQ+ and one in five members of the community falling victim to hate crimes, the national government is failing. Local protections for LGBTQ+ individuals are the best route toward safety and equality in the absence of federal action. With protections in place, everyone benefits from a healthy and productive workforce.

The push for LGBTQ+ employment protections in Michigan for state employees was progressed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after signing an executive order, but it did not extend to all employees in Michigan. With a Republican majority in the Michigan Legislature, Whitmer is limited in her ability to enact policies. Therefore, local governments must step up or a massive recall must take place in the coming elections to supplement the lack of unilateral power Whitmer holds. In either scenario, the conversation for protections of LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace must take place in neighborhoods and over the dinner table to be reflected across the state.

Currently, 20 Michigan cities have added LGBTQ+-identifying individuals to the list of protected groups in cases of employment discrimination. This group of Michigan cities sits alongside the less than 300 other cities and counties with ordinances protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from workplace discrimination. This coalition is largely concentrated in states with existing protections but provides safe environments for LGBTQ+ individuals. Despite the progress made, many of the cities with local protections have religious exclusions and allow for discrimination by religious organizations. Religious exemptions create hierarchical structures where LGBTQ+ individuals feel vulnerable and ostracized by spaces traditionally deemed safe and welcoming.

Critics often cite moral and religious arguments against inclusion in the workplace for LGBTQ+ individuals but ignore the economic benefits. The exclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the workplace causes harm to economies; The addition of legal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals is associated with higher levels of economic development. On top of economic benefits, visibility and familiarity with the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace leads to acceptance, supporting work communities.

As the Equality Act remains untouched by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the protections that LGBTQ+-identifying individuals rely on in the workplace must be implemented from the bottom-up. This bottom-up strategy relies on voters to focus on down-ballot races and pay attention to the candidates that have committed to protecting and uplifting at-risk groups like the LGBTQ+ community. It is imperative for voters to exercise empathy and protect their neighbors from discrimination in the workplace to ensure equal opportunity under the law.

In addition to all the races voters must pay attention to, the focus also must shift to the courts and how the Senate and White House dictate the makeup of the Judiciary across the country. Many ignore the power that the Executive has in appointing judges and justices from Appellate to Supreme Courts. Trump has now nominated and received confirmation by the Senate on over 187 lifetime judges resulting in one in every five circuit judges being Trump-nominated. In line with the need for employment protections, the conservative majority Supreme Court of the United States is in the process of deciding on a trio of cases pertaining to employment protections for LGBTQ+ individuals at the federal level.

The lineup of lifetime appointed conservative-leaning judges and justices across the country is a cause for concern for employment activists due to the closing of the avenue so often used for minority groups. Voters must recognize that up and down the ballot, they have responsibilities to vote for values and vote for their LGBTQ+ neighbors, friends and families while the war on the community wages on. It is important to be educated on the severity and responsibility of every office on the ballot but to also vote for your principles rather than focusing on candidates at face value. Many voters are trapped in the mindset that candidates matter more than their politics, but those threatened by a lack of action aren't afforded this privilege. LGBTQ+ individuals feel the effects of political inaction everyday inside and outside the workplace as their day-to-day lives are threatened.

Local ordinances and protections are just the starting point for LGBTQ+ individuals, rather than the destination. With integrated workplaces and stronger coalitions at the local and state level, pressure in the form of advocacy will implore the federal government to act. While Congress remains in gridlock, LGBTQ+ lives and careers must be protected at local levels to ensure equal opportunity and economic prosperity.
Owen Stecco can be reached at ostecco@umich.edu.

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Owen Stecco: A need for local action on employment discrimination

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With the Equality Act (H.R.5) stalled in Congress and a combined lack of political will, local action on LGBTQ+ employment discrimination is imperative. Currently, 44 percent of the LGBTQ+ population lives in states without LGBTQ+ protection policies despite exclusionary workplaces holding economies back. The Judiciary has shifted to the ideological right under President Donald Trump, [...]

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"It takes no compromise to give people their rights ... it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression." -Harvey Milk

Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/relationships/g36395825/pride-month-quotes/

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We’ve got your Insta captions all figured out.

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Question 2: How are the LGBTQ+ community affected by unfair pay in their workplaces and how are their experiences different and/or similar to that of the women in the workplaces?

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My Question: What are some ways that men can support equal pay in their workplaces, both in the small scale and big scale?

The only way equal pay will be achieved is if everyone accepts the fact that all people need to be paid for the work they do in equal amounts, without the employers questioning their race or gender. This means that the change needs to happen where people who aren't that heavily impacted with this issue(in the case: it is the men), need to step up and bring out their viewpoints to further bring more cohesiveness and collective ideals.

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“Men have to demand that their wives, daughters, mothers and sisters earn more—commensurate with their qualifications and not their gender. Equality will be achieved when men and women are granted equal pay and equal respect.” -Beyoncé

Source: https://www.ellevatenetwork.com/articles/8134-quotes-about-equal-pay

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"Men have to demand that their wives, daughters, mothers and sisters earn more-commensurate with their qualifications and not their gender. Equality will be achieved when men and women are granted equal pay and equal respect." -Beyoncé

"This is a good time for us to bring this to a place of fairness, and girls need to know that being a feminist is a good thing. It doesn't mean that you hate men. It means equal rights. If you're doing the same job, you should be compensated and treated in the same way." -Charlize Theron

"Far too many women are hesitant, and remain trapped in jobs for which they are over-qualified or paid beneath their worth." -Janet Street - Porter

"The reality is that, if we do nothing, it will take 75 years, or for me to be nearly 100, before women can expect to be paid the same as men for the same work." - Emma Watson

"We're going to be compensated fairly for our jobs, we're going to be given the opportunity to make choices about our bodies and we're going to be safe." -Lena Duham

"When we pay women less than men we're telling women their work isn't as valuable. We're all equally valuable. And we should be paid equally." -Maria Shriver

"As a father, I want to know my daughter will have the same opportunities as my sons... [we need to be] committed... to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work." - Justin Trudeau

"Having it all means having the same work and family choices that men do. It doesn't mean having everything that you want. No one has that." - Anne-Marie Slaughter

"The issue of pay inequality is really important because experts say it will take 40 years for that gap to close. We don't have 40 years to wait". -Patricia Arquette

"So I say to the women out there in America, let's keep this fight going! Put on your lipstick, square your shoulders, suit up, and let's fight for a new American revolution where women are paid equal pay for equal work, and let's end wage discrimination in this century once and for all! -Barbara Mikulsi

"This isn't about a money grab. It's about doing the right thing, the fair thing. It's about treating people the way they deserve to be treated, no matter their gender." -Carli Lloyd

"If you say, I'm for equal pay, that's a reform. But if you say, I'm a feminist, that's a transformation of society." -Gloria Steinem

"I think people think that just because I'm easy going and game to do things, I'll just take as little as they offer. It's not about how much you get, it's about how fair it is." -Amanda Seyfried

"Without women's groups knocking on doors, I wouldn't have gotten where I am. We need women to support each other. We still don't have equal pay." -Sonia Sotomayor

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"Men have to demand that their wives, daughters, mothers and sisters earn more-commensurate with their qualifications and not their gender. Equality will be achieved when men and women are granted equal pay and equal respect." -Beyoncé "This is a good time for us to bring this to a place of fairness, and girls need to know that being a feminist is a good thing.