Headlines Show Need for Pro-Gay Laws

Recent headlines prove our theory that state and religious sanctioned discrimination against the LGBT community harms gay and lesbian adults, youth and the children of gay and lesbian parents:

Obama Asks Court To Reinstate Gay Military Ban 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell':

The Obama administration on Thursday appealed a court ruling that ordered the Pentagon to halt enforce- ment of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” the AP reported.

Gay couples in legal limbo with immigration:

Married same-sex couples find their commitment has no standing in the eyes of immigration agents when one partner isn't a citizen. The Obama administration says their cases are a low priority, but that doesn't always prevent deportation.

Marcus Bachmann defends clinics' methods on gay patients:

The husband of GOP presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann is defending the methods used at the couple's counseling clinics and denied he compared people who are gay to barbarians.

These and other news stories illustrate why some LGBT people -- especially the youngest and oldest among us -- remain afraid to come out of the closet.  For many, coming out would result in the loss of family, community and  possibly housing and employment.  As long as our local, state and federal government, our schools, the military, religious organizations and the media continue to accept unequal treatment of LGBT people, homophobes will feel legitimized in their hateful acts and rhetoric.