Marriage Equality
 When ADA founder Walter Reuther put the power and prestige of the UAW alongside the civil rights movement in the 1960s, it helped to integrate the leadership and grassroots of both movements, making both of them stronger.
ADA has spoken out against discrimination going all the way back to the McCarthy era when we opposed the harrassment and expulsion of Federal employees based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
Today, it is about fundamental justice in all matters. The inevitable discrimination that flows from permitting some marriages but not others is both unfair and unconstitutional. The battle against discrimination has never been easy, and social change has always been hard but history is on our side.
The Latest
Read ADA's statement on Don't Ask, Don't Tell Hearing.
D.C. signs marriage equality law! Watch ADA's testimony.
ADA sends field staff to help with the No on 1 campaign in Maine.
ADA Members marching for LGBT equality at the National Equality March in Washington, DC.
ADA staff meet with Representative Baldwin (D-WI) to discuss ENDA, hate crimes and marriage equality.
Be an ally in action!
Tell your lawmakers to co-sponsor the repeal of DOMA.
Other LGBT Issues
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
ENDA would extend fair employment practices under federal law to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. It is based on the labor principle that every worker should be judged solely on his or her merits as a worker. No one should be at risk of losing their livelihood for being LGBT. Tell your lawmakers to pass ENDA.
Hate Crimes
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act has passed both the House and Senate and President Obama signed it on October 28th, 2009. This is a great victory for the LGBT community, ADA members, Senator Edward Kennedy (1932-2009) who spearheaded this legislation, and all who support equality.
This legislation gives the Department of Justice (DOJ) jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Don't Ask, Don't Tell prohibits gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Forces. It has also resulted in thousands of dedicated Servicemembers being discharged for no legitimate reason. ADA support the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill that will replace DADT with a policy of non-discrimination.
Uniting American Families Act
Because our government does not recognize same-sex partners, U.S citizens with foreign partners, even when legally married in other countries, are excluded from family-based immigration rules. The Uniting American Families Act would amend immigration law so that same-sex families torn apart by this injustice can be reunited. Email your lawmakers and tell them to support the Uniting American Families Act.
More on Civil Rights and Liberties
Read more about ADA's work on civil rights and civil liberties here.
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