From PFLAG National * Policy Matters - 04.12.11

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J. RHODES PERRY, MPA|  Associate Director of Policy and Programs

PFLAG National | 1828 L Street NW, Suite 660  |  Washington, D.C. 20036 

P: (202) 467-8180 ext. 221 | F: (202) 349-0788|E: RPerry@pflag.org | W: www.PFLAG.org

Moving Equality Forward through Support, Education, and Advocacy

PFLAG Policy Matters

April 12, 2011

Front Page Headlines

Nine Million Americans Estimated to be Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual. In an attempt to encourage more research into the health and well-being of LGBT people, a California demographer has estimated that more than 9 million Americans are lesbian, gay or bisexual, a number equivalent to the population of New Jersey. Gary Gates, who studies the demographics of the LGBT community for the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, said in a report released Thursday that about 3.5 percent of Americans identify themselves in surveys as being lesbian, gay or bisexual. The percentage more than doubles, however, if it includes people who say they have engaged in same-sex, sexual behavior.

Democrats Ask House Speaker Boehner for DOMA Briefing. On April 4, the lead sponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) - the bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) - asked Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) for a briefing on the House defense of DOMA. On March 9, the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Committee, on a party-line 3-2 vote, passed a resolution that called on the House counsel to defend the constitutionality of DOMA in court following the Obama administration's Feb. 23 decision that it would no longer defend DOMA in court.

Twelve Senators Write on Behalf of Bi-National Same-Sex Couples. On March 31, Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) sent a letter to the Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano seeking a stop on deportations of married, same-sex bi-national couples until a final judicial decision can be reached on the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Following up on this correspondence, a significant group of senators joined the cause last Wednesday in support of Representative Holt's request to stop deportations stating that it was "the right thing to do."

Gates: DADT Repeal Has Little Impact on Military. Last week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates reassured U.S. servicemembers in Iraq that allowing lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals to serve openly in the military will have little impact on the armed forces, an argument largely echoed by the top leaders of the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy. In Washington, leaders from the four services testified before the House Armed Services Committee on the implementation of the new policy. Pressed by Republicans on the implications of the change, senior military leaders insisted the services would be able to retain talented members and it could potentially increase the pool of recruits.

Public Policy Watch

Secretary Sebelius Announces Important Health Improvements. On April 1, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a number of steps her Department was recommending to the President to improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. These commitments are major advocacy wins that support PFLAG's ongoing efforts to enhance anti-bullying efforts, improve the adoption and foster care process for prospective LGBT parents, and ensure services for homeless LGBT youth are capable of meeting their specific needs.

IOM Releases Foundational LGBT Health Study. On March 31, the influential Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a groundbreaking report entitled, The Health of LGBT People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. The report recommended that researchers collect more data about the demographics of LGBT communities, improve methods for collecting and analyzing data, and increase participation of LGBT individuals in research. Building a more solid evidence base for LGBT health concerns will help bolster our advocacy for stronger families at the local, state and federal levels.

AK High Court Rules State's 2008 Adoption Ban Unconstitutional. Last week, the Arkansas Supreme Court struck down the state's 2008 ballot initiative that prohibited unmarried, cohabitating individuals from adopting children or becoming foster parents. The opinion was published without dissent. As same-sex marriage is illegal and not recognized in Arkansas, this initiative had the effect of prohibiting same-sex couples from fostering or adopting children. Arkansas' Department of Human Services will continue to carefully consider each foster care and adoption application with the best interest of the child as its foremost concern. Additionally, the department now will have an expanded pool of potential applicants, as the Supreme Court's decision will create more opportunities to match children with loving and supportive homes.

VA Governor Weighs Proposal that Allows LGBT People to Adopt. Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell is considering whether to try to derail proposed regulations developed by his Democratic predecessor that would for the first time allow LGBT couples to adopt children in Virginia. McDonnell has less than two weeks to act on the regulations that would force state-licensed private and church-run agencies to allow unmarried couples — straight or same-sex — to adopt children.

Maryland Gender Identity Bill on the Move. The Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act, which had appeared dead for the year, was moved to a more favorable committee Tuesday morning after extended public pressure that included hundreds of constituent calls and e-mails, many of which came directly from MD PFLAG members. The state equality group, Equality Maryland, announced that the Senate Rules Committee voted to send the bill to the Judicial Proceedings Committee, where it is expected to pass and head to the full senate for consideration. The bill passed the assembly by a strong 86-52 margin last month, but in the senate it was unexpectedly assigned to the rules committee, where prospects dimmed.

A Question from the Field

Dear Policy Matters: 

With all that is going on with the federal budget, I seem to be hearing less about social issues, in particular, LGBT legislation. Is this a sign that we will not only hear less, but see less action on legislation in the coming year? Do our Representatives and Senators still want to hear about these issues when they are so focused on the budget?

Sincerely,

Rosemary 

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Dear Rosemary,

Thank you for contacting Policy Matters. While it's true that Members of Congress continue to grapple with unprecedented global challenges including negotiating multiple war fronts, responding to national disasters, and yes, trying to accomplish one of their core tasks-- passing a federal budget--social issues still play a key role in the 112^th Congress as evidenced by the fight over whether to fund Planned Parenthood programming. Thankfully, LGBT issues are still a top priority, thanks to the rock solid LGBT Equality Caucus. Leaders from this caucus plan to reintroduce all 33 LGBT bills from the previous Congress once again in the 112^th Congress.

In terms of movement of these bills, we expect to see progress in the Senate, where the Democrats have retained control. In fact, we are likely to see certain bills like the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) and the Safe Schools Improvement Act move through committee and maybe even come to the floor for a vote, depending on the circumstances. One possible way to move these bills forward is to include them in the reauthorization of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA). A reauthorization simply means the process by which Congress prescribes changes, additions and deletions to a specific law to meet the changing needs for a specific issue like education. Our National Office continues to advocate for the passage of ESEA with these anti-bullying safeguards for LGBT students.

Prospects of movement for pro-LGBT legislation in the Republican-controlled House on the other hand are unlikely, especially considering Speaker John Boehner's (R-OH) intentions to spend tax-payer dollars defending the Defense of Marriage Amendment (DOMA). This decision came after the Obama Administration determined that DOMA was unconstitutional, as it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. Despite Republican control of the House, the strength of the LGBT Equality Caucus will continue providing leadership around LGBT equality and educate the over 100 new Congress Members on important issues that matter to our families.

Now, more than ever, we need you to pick up the phone, write a letter or schedule a visit with your Congress members and urge them to take leadership on the LGBT-specific legislation that matter most to your families and friends.  If you have any questions on how to contact your members of Congress, please don't hesitate to contact our Associate Director of Policy and Programs.

Thank you for moving equality forward,

Policy Matters

 

 

 

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