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LGBTQ Rights

Despite gains in recent years, LGBTQ Americans still face discrimination in employment, healthcare, and public accommodation. This discrimination is often disguised behind claims of religious freedom or conscience, but that does not change the toxic and socially destructive impact of this discrimination on our entire community. The Santa Clara County Democratic Party believes that we must work toward a future where being LGBTQ is not an “other,” but is included in the fabric of society at every level. In order to achieve this goal the Santa Clara Democratic Party:

  • Supports the passage of the Equality Act, and other local, state, and federal legislation designed to eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ people in public and private life.
  • Supports the full and equal rights of LGBTQ employees to be free from discrimination in their employment, with no exemption for the religious objections of employers.
  • Supports the full and equal rights of LGBTQ consumers to be free from discrimination in public accommodations and services, with no exemption for the religious objections of business owners or service providers.
  • Strongly opposes the awarding of public contracts, grants, or the awarding of public funds to companies with a history of anti-LGBTQ bias or discrimination.
  • Opposes the use of any public funds for state-sponsored travel to states that discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
  • Supports inclusive, culturally competent youth services, the protection and support of safe spaces for LGBTQ youth, and training in LGBTQ supportive practices for youth service providers.
  • Opposes ignorant and counter-productive blood donation policies that discriminate against LGBTQ donors.
  • Strongly supports the “Getting to Zero” campaign and other efforts to end the HIV/AIDs epidemic through education and inclusive, adequately funded public health services.
  • Supports transgender representation at all levels of government, including in elected and appointed office.
  • Supports affirmative efforts to hire and include transgender people in government and private employment.