Civil Rights Legislation

Gays and lesbians have faced discrimination in military service, employment, housing, civil protections, state services, public accommodations, health care, social and religious groups, and courts. In the absence of federal legislation prohibiting discrimination against the gay and lesbian community, thirteen states have introduced favorable legislation that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. In 1989, Massachusetts became the second state to pass a gay and lesbian civil rights bill. Unfortunately, this law has been subject to attack. For example, the organization Citizens for Family First proposed a referendum to repeal the bill in 1990, but the referendum failed.

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