Issue Position: LGBTQ Rights

Issue Position

The US Supreme Court's 2015 decision to strike down the ban on same sex marriage was a milestone in the continued fight for LGBTQ rights. But, this fight is far from over. On a daily basis, LGBTQ Americans face discrimination and attacks in their workplaces, in our healthcare facilities, in our schools, and at home. Prior to the legalization of same sex marriage, Mary Gay Scanlon provided research and legislative support to leading LGBTQ legal groups to assist them in their push to legalize same-sex marriage, including regularly updating the list of legal issues impacted by the failure to recognize such unions. Mary Gay believes that all forms of discrimination and hate are unacceptable and will continue to fight for equality in Congress.

As an ally of the LGBTQ community, Mary Gay has a long history of representing LGBTQ individuals and developing resources for organizations that support them. She has led pro bono work in the following areas:

Research projects on gay marriage rights, counseling athletic organizations on inclusion practices, and policies for transgender athletes

Challenging the Establishment Clause on the definition of marriage under the tax code

Providing advice to non-profit organizations that support the LGBTQ community on corporate governance, employment, and intellectual property

Media law counseling and training to the largest national LGBTQ civil rights organization.

Mary Gay understands that the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ community are impacted at every intersection of society. She's fought for same-sex couples seeking to adopt children. In multiple states, including Pennsylvania, her team has assisted more than 65 transgender individuals in changing their names, and challenged states on providing appropriate gender markers on identification documents. While on the Wallingford-Swarthmore school board, Mary Gay authorized the extension of benefits to same sex partners of employees, before the legalization of same-sex marriage made them otherwise eligible. The church that she and her family attend is a reconciling congregation dedicated to the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practice.

In Congress, Mary Gay will continue to work as an ally of the LGBTQ community and support legislation including, but not limited to:

Protect Same-Sex Families

In 2015, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. However, some states still make it difficult for same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses, divorce, and adopt or foster children. In Congress, Mary Gay will protect same-sex marriage and fight against attempts to roll back marriage equality.

Protect Transgender Rights

Transgender Americans face daily harassment in all aspects of life and are disproportionately victims of violence and discrimination.Transgender Americans have a suicide attempt rate of 41%, much higher than the rest of the population. Against the advice of military professionals, health care professionals, and civil rights advocates, the Trump Administration has banned transgender Americans from serving in the military. Mary Gay will support legislation to protect the rights of transgender individuals, including respecting both them and their right to serve in the military, and enforcing the rights of transgender students, whether to use fully participate in school, including to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with.

Pass the Equality Act

In many states, it is still legal to fire someone, refuse service, or deny housing based on sexual orientation. It is crucial that we continue to fight all forms of discrimination in public life. In Congress, Mary Gay will support the Equality Act, which extends the Civil Rights Act of of 1964 to protect sexual orientation and gender identity. As part of a broader anti-discrimination initiative, Mary Gay will support legislation that prevents customer and workplace discrimination.

Ban Conversion Therapy

Conversion therapy is a harmful, pseudoscientific practice that subjects LGBTQ children to psychological interventions in an attempt to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Mary Gay will support legislation to ban conversion therapy.

Fight for LGBTQ Homeless Youth

Over 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ, six times higher than the national average. Because of discrimination and harassment, LGBTQ youth are at much higher risk than the general homeless population and are more than seven times more likely to be the victim of sexual violence. Mary Gay will support legislation to protect LGBTQ youth and provide resources for homeless shelters and foster care.

Protect LGBTQ Health Care

LGBTQ individuals are twice as likely as other Americans to lack health insurance; that number will likely increase as Americans lose health insurance coverage under the recent tax cuts passed by Congress. Thanks to public health efforts, HIV infection rates had started to decline for a large number of LGBTQ+ people, but the president's proposed budget for this year would have cut HIV/AIDS funding by $800 million, leading to new outbreaks. Whether that gets worse or better depends, almost entirely, on whether the Democrats can take back control of the Senate and House from Republicans in the 2018 midterms. Mary Gay will support legislation that protects and increases funding for LGBTQ healthcare.

Protect the Census

In order to accurately allocate resources to all Americans, the federal government must have a good demographic grasp on our country. The Trump administration has threatened this, by stopping counting the number of LGBTQ citizens in the country on the Census. In effect, this makes LGBTQ individuals invisible to lawmakers who are drafting legislation which impacts their wellbeing. Mary Gay will support legislation to protect the Census from attacks by the administration.

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