Gay and Lesbian Group

The policy analysis that I will be conducting

will be on policies that affect the Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and transgender group.
Gay and bisexual people are included in
human rights and they should not be
discriminated against because of their
personal preferences.


Gay and Lesbian Health
According to the CDC, Gay & bisexual men make up only 2% of the U.S population
but 52% of those are Infected with H.I.V. (CDC, 2014).

Research shows that 77.5 percent did initially receive antiviral medication, but only 51
percent continued getting on going care (CDC, 2014).

Lack of Health insurance, discrimination and stigma are all to blame for the high
statistics rate.

Lesbians face unique challenges within the health care system that cause poor physical
and mental health (WebMD, 2014).

Fear of negative reaction from their physician means that doctors do not know their
patient may be at risk for different STIs that cause cancer (WebMD, 2014).

Gays, lesbians and bisexuals are 8.4 times more likely to have tried to commit suicide
5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression
3.4 times more likely to have risky sex ( CDC, 2014).







Same sex marriages
31 states ban same sex marriage.
There are 12 states where gay marriage bans have been overturned and appeals
are in progress, Michigan is one of them.
Hard for same sex couples to jointly adopt.

Same sex partner benefits
Since same sex is not legally recognized, homosexual couples cannot take
advantage of the 1,138 benefits awarded to their spouses like heterosexual
couples can.
Such as, Medical decisions on the behalf of partner, Social Security Benefits,
Tax breaks, Visitation of partner in hospital or Prison, Veterans discounts, Sick
leave to take care of partner, Assumption of spouses pension, insurance breaks
and immigration just to name a few (HRC, 2014).

Several recent changes within the legal and policy arena serve to increase
access to care and insurance for LGBT individuals and their families.
Most notably the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and
the Supreme Courts overturning of a major portion of the Defense of
Marriage Act (DOMA) (HRC, 2014).
Defense of Marriage Act, enacted by then President bill Clinton in 1996,
which leaves it up to the states to decides whether to recognize same sex
marriages ( HRC, 2014).
The ACA expands access to health insurance coverage for millions,
including LGBT individuals, and includes specific protections related to
sexual orientation and gender identity.
In addition, President Obamas administration has undertaken a variety of
other initiatives to improve the health and well-being of LGBT individuals,
families, and communities.
There are 19 State laws or court decisions that allow same-sex couples to
marry (19 states and D.C.) (HRC, 2014).

States that allow civil unions and domestic partnerships vary in the amount
of state-level spousal rights that are afforded to same-sex couples (HRC,
2014).

Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois and New Jersey grant same sex couples in a
civil union the same rights, obligations, and benefits as spouses
(HRC,2014).

Washington provides same sex couples in domestic partnerships limited
rights to community property and patient visitation. All domestic
partnerships in Washington as of June 30, 2014 will be converted to
marriages UNLESS one of the parties is 62 years of age or older, in which
case the domestic partnership will remain (HRC,2014).


In Michigan a statue enacted in 1996 banned the licensing of same sex
marriages and the recognition of the same sex marriages from other
jurisdictions (FTM, 2014).

On 2004 voters approved a constitutional amendment, Michigan proposal
04-2 that banned same sex marriage and civil unions (FTM, 2014).

On March 21, 2014 a decision of the U.S district court for Eastern
Michigan District ruled the states denial of marriage rights to same sex
couples unconstitutional (FTM, 2014).

The next day 300 same sex couples married in Michigan.

March 26,2014 The Sixth circuit Court of appeals issued a temporary stay
that declared Michigans ban on same sex marriage as constitutional.
(FTM, 2014).
December 23,2003, Governor Jennifer Granholm issued an executive order
prohibiting employment discrimination employment on the bases of
sexual orientation or gender identity ( Brothello, 2014).

Federal regulations require hospitals participating in the Medicaid
Medicare program to adopt written policies and procedures regarding
patients visitation rights.(HRC, 2014)

Michigan Senate and House of Representatives introduced updates to the
1976 Elliott- Larson, civil rights act to include sexual orientation and
gender identity that will help modernize Michigan's antidiscrimination
laws( Barthello, 2014).

Each State has its own laws governing adoption and vary among each
state. Michigan banns adoption to individuals that are unmarried (HRC,
2014).


One policy that was enacted was, State laws prohibit discrimination
against LGBT from working governmental jobs.

There are 718 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) facilities that offer
specialized inclusive healthcare services to LGBT patients. (HRC, 2014)

The American Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows all American to receive
reduced healthcare insurance (HRC, 2014).

States that allow same sex marriage are also allowing marginal benefits to
their spouses.

More states are providing policies that include the LGBT population. This
means more protection against discrimination.

The State of Michigans antidiscrimination laws have not changed in 20
years, this policy only governs government workers, there are many
sectors of the working class that are still not covered by anti discrimination
laws.

Despite progress members of the LGBT population continue to
experience worse health outcomes than their heterosexual counter parts.

Many Americans simple cannot afford the cost of health insurance,
if Americans do not obtain any healthcare insurance regardless to income
level, they will be penalized with extra taxes for every year they do not
have coverage.

The interview I conducted was with J.Mathis,(which she prefers to be
called) a newly wed, open lesbian who traveled many miles to a state that
marries same sex couples. Even though the state that the couple resides in
does not recognize same sex union, the couple felt compelled to share their
love for one another as any other couple would.
T.G. What concerns you being an open lesbian?
J.Mathis: I always liked what I liked and there was no explaining it. Once I
made my decision to be true to my self and every thing that I felt made me.
I moved to a different sate to start all over and do all the things that was
true to how I felt and what made me happy. My concern is that there are
more people concerning themselves with who I love and what they think
about me. I think that it should be my right to be able to love and care for
who I want with out the side eye and nasty looks. Why do people care so
much about issues they will never change, I will never change.
T.G. What would you like to see happen that will support the union of you
and your spouse?

J.Mathis: I would like to see people start accepting me because I am humane
not because of who I love. When you love somebody, love comes from a
good place, it is not wrong or bad or evil. I want to be able to raise kids
with my wife and I want for us to be recognized as a family in the eyes of
the law. I want to be able to make decisions as a family not just
individually, because we are two women we have to live together but
separate. We cannot share our lives with each other how we want to and it
is not fair. I cannot change who I love no more then I can change the color
of my skin. My concerns is for discrimination to not be such a big concern.
T.G. I do understand your sentiments, and I have to say you seem strong and
steadfast on our beliefs and I wish you both well in the future.
J. Mathis. Thank You, and I hope we will be well in the future.
Life long adoptions. (2014). LGBT adoption facts. Retrieved, October 1, 2014. from,
http://www.lifelongadoptions.com/lgbt-adoption-resources/lgbt-adoption-laws/michigan

Center for Disease Control. (2010). H.I.V among Gay and Bisexual men fact sheet. Retrieved: September 30,
2014. from,
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/gender/msm/facts/index.html

Ranjn,M. Beamesderfer, A. (2014). Health and Access to Care and Coverage for Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual
and transgender individuals in the U.S .Retrieved September 30, 2014. from,
http://kff.org/disparities-policy/issue-brief/health-and-access-to-care-and-coverage-for-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-
transgender-individuals-in-the-u-s/

Bothelho,G. (2014). Federal Judge Strikes down Michigans Gay Marriage Ban. CNN Justice. Retrieved:
October, 1, 2014 from,
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/21/justice/michigan-gay-marriage/index.html

Defense of Marriage Act (2014). What is the defense of marriage Act? Retrieved: October 1,2014 from,
http://marriage.laws.com/defense-of-marriage-act

Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, Act 453 of 1976. (n.d.) Retrieved: October 1, 2014 from,
http://michigan.gov/documents/act_453_elliott_larsen_8772_7.pdf

Mathis, J. (Personal Communication September 30, 2014)

Lesbian Health Information (n.d.) WebMd. Retrieved: September 30, 2014 from
http://www.webmd.com/women/lesbian-health

Human Rights Campaign (n.d) Health Care Equality Index, Map of state Laws and
Policies. Retrieved: September 30, 2014 from, http://www.hrc.org/hei

Freedom To Marry (n.d.) Freedom to Marry in Michigan. Retrieved: October 1, 2014
from, http://www.freedomtomarry.org/states/entry/c/michigan