GLBT LEGISLATION INCREASES IN STATES
By Steven Fisher

WASHINGTON /GNN NewsWire/ - Thirty-seven states have or are currently considering marriage related bills in 2004, according to a new report released today by the Human Rights Campaign. HRC’s new program "Partnerships for Equality," works with statewide and local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights organizations to defeat anti-gay bills and advance positive legislation for the GLBT community.
"HRC is partnering with state and local organizations to provide the resources needed for critical battles," said Cheryl Jacques, HRC President. "Although marriage-related bills are increasing, HRC is also tracking hundreds of other bills that may advance or stifle GLBT equality."

Key findings of the publication "Equality in the States" include:
 More than half of the state legislatures introduced legislation favorable to the GLBT community within the first two months of 2004 – including the New Jersey Domestic Partnership bill, which passed and will go into effect in July 2004. Additionally, Maine and Maryland have active bills in the legislature that would provide vital rights to unmarried partners.
 Twenty-six states have introduced or are expected to introduce amendments to their state constitutions that seek to ban marriage rights and, in some cases, other relationship rights for same-sex couples. Amendments in eight of these states have died or been defeated.
 Thirteen states have introduced bills to protect gay and lesbian citizens from job discrimination. It remains legal in 36 states to fire a person based solely on his or her sexual orientation and in 46 states solely on a person’s gender identity or expression.