Stampp Corbin: Counting all forms of discrimination against LGBTs

[toymachines]

Stampp Corbin: Counting all forms of discrimination against LGBTs
San Diego News Network

The original definition of the word discrimination was a harmless one. It’s meant to have the ability to detect fine distinctions, like a wine connoisseur can detect citrus and oak in different bottles of chardonnay. Today the word discrimination is used to describe treatment based upon a class or category, rather than individual merit or simply put, prejudice. Discrimination comes in all forms, from the overt to the subtle.

When it comes to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, discrimination against us is often some of the most subtle. Much of it is so subtle; most Americans don’t even know it exists. How are members of the LGBT community discriminated against? Let me count the ways.

First, there is our inability to be open and honest about our relationships at work. Whether it is in the military or at the local family restaurant, some in the LGBT community are closeted at work because they can be fired in many states just for being a member of the LGBT community. Yet, our straight co-workers can extol their divorces and third marriage to reckless abandon. A gay man talking about his 12 year relationship with his partner, not good.

Let me count the ways. In some states where gays and lesbians have domestic partnership or civil union health care benefits, those benefits are taxed as ordinary income. That means a gay spouse pays $1,000 to the government for the same $3,000 worth of benefits that are given to a straight spouse with no taxation... Read more

http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-07-13/news/politics-city-county-government/stampp-corbin-counting-all-forms-of-discrimination-against-the-lgbt-community