Equality Across America statement on the election

Today Americans in three locations voted on whether to recognize or deny the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people:

Residents of Maine voted on whether to overturn a state law that recognizes the right of same-sex couples to marry.
Residents of Washington voted on whether to overturn a state law that gives registered domestic partners the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations of married couples.
Residents of Kalamazoo, Michigan, voted on whether to overturn a city ordinance that bars discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

"It's shameful that America lets majorities vote on the rights of minorities," said Flik Huang, 24, a straight woman and San Francisco resident who helped organize the National Equality March.  "Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have been spending precious time and money fighting for something the U.S. Constitution says they should already have, which is equal protection under the law.  It's time for the federal government to end the second-class status of LGBT Americans."

Equality Across America is a network of decentralized organizers in every one of the 435 Congressional districts. These organizers form Congressional District Action Teams (CDATs) that work within their own communities to achieve full equality for LGBT Americans and their families. This includes the right to work our jobs and go to school free of harassment and discrimination; the right to safety in our daily lives, and protection from hate crimes; the right to equitable healthcare, and the right to donate blood; the right to equitable immigration policies; the right to marry; and the right to serve in the military openly.