Judicial and Legislative Developments Affecting the LGBTQ+ Community

Federal, state, local laws, and non-discrimination policies have been in a state of flux over the past half-century with respect to protecting the LGBTQ+ community. Although same-sex couples have the freedom to marry nationwide, LGBTQ+ people are still at risk in many locations for activities many take for granted: renting an apartment, posting a picture of a same-sex spouse at work, and ordering a meal at a local restaurant, to name a few. Some states have even introduced legislation allowing doctors to refuse treatment based on the doctor’s moral beliefs. Not surprisingly, therefore, LGBTQ+ people and companies alike are forced to navigate an arena that can vary greatly depending on locale.