LGBTQ Policy Issues

When:  Mar 10, 2021 from 12:00 to 13:00 (ET)
The March 2021 PridePlanners Knowledge Circle will be held on Wednesday, March 10th at 12 pm ET.

Guest speaker Spencer Watson will be presenting, "LGBTQ Policy Issues."

Existing policies do not sufficiently protect all LGBTQ people in the U.S. from discrimination and do not support their economic well-being fairly & equally. Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) are not included as enumerated protected classes under the Civil Rights Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, or Fair Housing Act (though some courts have interpreted “sex” discrimination to encompass SOGI, in certain regions and contexts).

Without federal protection, LGBTQ Americans rely upon a “patchwork” of state and municipal laws to protect themselves. In addition to inclusion under present civil rights laws, LGBTQ Americans need other state and federal policy reforms to obtain equitable treatment in government programs, benefits, and policies that guarantee their full and fair inclusion in the broader economy.

Goals for LGBTQ households and communities will continuously evolve, but some present examples of needed policies include 

  • Policies creating fair treatment under paid-family leave for chosen family and medical leave laws
  • New LGBTQ data collection requirements under government agencies
  • New state programs to support community development, housing, and health access for LGBTQ households, organizations, and communities.
Spencer Watson is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research. Spencer is a 2018 graduate of Berkeley Law, where their studies emphasized consumer financial protection, prudential regulation, lending discrimination, and civil rights. Before law school, Spencer worked as a client and campaign manager in the nonprofit sector as a financial counselor, a campaign coordinator to close the K12 digital divide, and a grassroots fundraising director for civil rights and reproductive justice.

Please note, this Knowledge Circle will run a little different.  The registration link will take you to our new Learning Management System at fpalearning.onefpa.org.  You will register here and on the day of the webinar you access the call by going to this website and going to your dashboard.

Location

Online Instructions: