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Learn more about the following issues!
Below are key federal pieces of legislation being considered by the
U.S. Congress. Please take action on these items and read more about
them.
- Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
- Matthew Shepard Act
- Federal Legislation From HRC
- Employment Non-Discrimination Act
- Military
Readiness Enhancement Act
- The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act/Matthew Shepard
Act
- Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act
- Uniting American Families Act
- Appropriations for HIV/AIDS Programs
- Early Treatment for HIV Act
- Responsible Education About Life Act
- The Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries
Other Federal Legislation of Interest
Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act
Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2007
Anti-GLBT Activism (view pdf here)
Military
Triangle Foundation does not work directly on Military issues but you can find a wealth of information with the Service Members Legal Defense Network.
HIV/AIDS & Gay and Lesbian Health
HIV/AIDS issues are still a major issue for the GLBT community. Triangle Foundation supports efforts to increase funding for research, prevention and education regarding HIV/AIDS issues. We fight to make sure that comprehensive and effective health curriculums are used in schools so that young people get medically accurate information about preventing new infections. Individuals that feel they have been discriminated against because of their HIV status can contact Triangle Foundation for help or call 1-877-787-4264. Find more on Federal HIV/AIDS policy development.
Police Misconduct
Sometimes the very police officers charged with keeping our communities safe, discriminate against GLBT people. In some cases law enforcement officials will target GLBT people for negative treatment through “profiling” by assuming that if you are gay you must be doing something illegal or may be easier to harass. Here are some ways this can happen.
- A GLBT person gets pulled over while driving simply for having a rainbow decal on their car
- Undercover operations may in gay bars designed to harass GLBT patrons or humiliate them for being in a business like that.
- A prosecutor who doesn’t see the importance of investigating an anti-GLBT homicide
- A corrections officer harasses a GLBT prisoner or does not reporting a sexual assault.
Triangle Foundation and other Anti-Violence Projects around the country work to educate law enforcement officials and assist them in serving our community. But we also work hard to remedy police misconduct, entrapment or violence. Triangle is working with law enforcement in all eighty-three counties of Michigan, including prosecutors, sheriffs, municipal and university police and corrections officers to improve the services provided by these public servants.
Triangle has helped hundreds of clients who feel they have been discriminated against or injured at the hands of law enforcement. Triangle even sued the Detroit Police Department for wide-spread dragnet operations where they charged men with crimes they did not commit and harassed them with laws that were unconstitutional. See our “Bag-A-Fag” report. To report a hate crime click here or call 1-877-787-4264.
Family Issues
Triangle Foundation works hard to make sure that GLBT families enjoy equal rights and access to benefits that heterosexual couples receive. That means that domestic partner benefits, civil unions or marriage equality is granted to GLBT people in Michigan. We also support equality in parenting in issues ranging from adoption, foster care, custody, family planning, and respectful services in the area of donor insemination. For more information: (view pdf here)
Discrimination
Being treated differently because of your real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or expression is pervasive and wrong. But in Michigan, in most cases, it is still legal. Triangle is working to end discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and public services. To find out more about this issue: (view pdf here)
Terminology
To fully understand and appreciate the complexity and beauty of the GLBT community you need to be familiar with some terms and other expressions in the GLBT community. To learn more (view pdf here)
Youth and Student Issues
GLBT and Questioning young people struggle with many of the same issues that other young people struggle with such as peer-pressure and the awkwardness of being young. But GLBTQ youth have very unique issues dealing with their identity, sexuality, and place in the community, the family and their learning environment. GLBTQ youth are also teaching adults a great deal about inclusion, civil rights and that young people are ready for honest discussions of their lives. For more information (view pdf here)
Transgender Issues
Transgender Americans face a great deal of discrimination because of ignorance and fear. Transgender people are just like any other American and should not be discriminated against or be targeted for violence or harassment based on their gender identity or expression. Transgender men and women face a myriad of challenges in society, communities, workplaces, within the family and their houses of worship. Triangle Foundation works to educate the larger community about transgender people and why gender non-conforming people should be judged on their merit not their gender identity or expression. Transgender individuals face obstacles to medical care, compassion and dignity when they decide to transition.
Triangle Foundation works to advance policy measures that will improve the quality of life for transgender people in Michigan and secure their full civil rights.
To learn more about the transgender community and issues affecting and impacting them, go to www.nctequality.org and http://www.thetaskforce.org/theissues/issue.cfm?issueID=21
Hate Violence and Domestic Violence (See Criminal Issues Sheet)
Hate violence is still very much a problem in our society. GLBT people are singled out for harassment, intimidation, vandalism, violence, and sexual assault every day in the United States. Triangle Foundation’s Anti-Violence Project (AVP) helps hundreds of clients every year who call to document their incidents and ask for referrals or advocacy in their case. For more information about hate violence visit (www.avp.org).
Hate Crimes are different from other forms of crime because most crimes are committed for personal gain. Hate crimes are motivated by wanting nothing more than to victimize the victim. They are marked by excessive brutality and irrational bigotry. Anti-GLBT discrimination and violence usually occurs around the home or the workplace, not necessarily at pride events or other public gatherings. People should be careful and use good judgement in situations where they feel threatened. To report a hate crime click here.
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