The text discusses the progress made in acceptance of gay weddings, with examples of Republican presidential candidates attending or expressing support for gay weddings. However, it also highlights the remaining challenges and instances of discrimination against the LGBT community, such as being fired or evicted due to their sexual orientation. The text cites examples of real-life cases, including a Texas couple being refused service at a restaurant and a pediatrician refusing to treat a baby because of the parents' sexual orientation. It also discusses the limitations of religious freedom and the need for federal laws to protect the LGBT community from discrimination. The text mentions the Equality Act, a bill in Congress that aims to add LGBT protections to the Civil Rights Act and other laws, but notes that it lacks Republican support.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. In a recent Republican presidential debate, John Kasich responded positively to a question about gay marriage.
2. Kasich attended a gay wedding and said that just because someone doesn't think the way he does, doesn't mean he can't care about or love them.
3. Jeb Bush, Rick Perry, Bobby Jindal, and Marco Rubio have all said they would attend a gay wedding if invited.
4. In most states, an LGBT person can get married on Saturday, post photos of their wedding on Sunday, and get fired from their job or thrown out of their apartment on Monday just because of who they are.
5. In 31 states, people are at risk of being fired, evicted, or refused service just because they're gay.
6. Federal law guarantees a gay couple's right to get married, but offers no guarantees about their rights to do things that normally follow, like signing a lease on an apartment.
7. A 2013 poll showed that nearly 70% of people thought it was illegal under federal law for someone to be fired for being gay.
8. Many states have laws that allow discrimination against gay people, including Texas, where a gay couple was denied service at a restaurant and a gay man was fired from his job as a children's social services worker.
9. The EEOC ruled last month that the Civil Rights Act applies to LGB workers, and a year ago, the president added LGBT protections for federal contractors.
10. Two Republican governors running for president, Bobby Jindal and John Kasich, have weakened their state's non-discrimination policies.
11. There is a bill in Congress called the Equality Act, which adds LGBT protections to the Civil Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, and several others.
12. The Equality Act has over 200 co-sponsors in the House and Senate, but none are Republican.
13. The presidential candidates were asked if they would support passage of a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and only four campaigns responded, with Bernie Sanders and Lincoln Chafee saying yes.