Pride’s theme this year is “Your Vote, Your Rights, Your Future.” But
results from a national poll given in November showed that most of the
768 lesbian, gay and bisexual respondents could not correctly answer
questions dealing with their state and federal rights.
How well do you know the rights you are afforded or denied based on
your sexual orientation? Test yourself and check your answers on Page
114.
LOCAL & STATE
1.) If you work in Atlanta and you get fired for being gay, you can:
a.) file an employment discrimination lawsuit in Georgia courts.
b.) file a complaint with the city of Atlanta’s Human Relations Commission.
c.) nothing, since there no state law baning discrimination based on sexual orientation.
2.) Gay and lesbian couples who get married in Massachusetts or California and return to Georgia:
a.) have no legal relationship to one another because of the state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
b.) receive the same rights as married heterosexuals.
c.) receive federal marriage rights, but do not get state-level benefits.
3.) Can gay people adopt children in Georgia?
a.) No, there is a law banning adoptions by gay people.
b.) Yes, there is a law that allows gay adoptions.
c.) Sometimes, there is no law on the subject, and the decision is left to individual judges.
4.) Atlanta has a domestic partnership registry that is available to:
a.) city employees.
b.) all gay and lesbian city residents.
c.) no one; it was nullified by the state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
5.) If you and your same-sex partner live in Atlanta, but neither of you works for the city, and you register as domestic partners:
a.) It is primarily a symbolic act, and contains only minor privileges like visitation rights in the city jail.
b.) It is the same as being legally married.
c.) You receive limited benefits, such as health insurance.
6.) Several municipalities, including Atlanta and DeKalb County, have domestic partnership registries for gay city or county employees. These domestic partnerships:
a.) are no longer available due to the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
b.) are primarily symbolic and contain no benefits or protections.
c.) contain limited benefits, such as health insurance.
7.) The best way to make sure you are able to visit your same-sex partner in the hospital and make medical decisions on his or her behalf is:
a.) there is no way gay couples in Georgia can obtain hospital visitation privileges.
b.) for couples to secure legal documents such as “Advanced Directives” forms, powers of attorney, and living wills.
c.) have medical emergencies only near gay-friendly hospitals.
8.) The city of Atlanta’s Human Relations Ordinance prohibits discrimination in:
a.) employment.
b.) public accommodations and housing.
c.) both a & b.
9.) Georgia legalized the sale of sex toys in:
a.) sex toys remain illegal.
b.) 1969
c.) 1980
10.) In what year did the Georgia Supreme Court strike down sodomy laws, making it unconstitutional in the state for people to be arrested for engaging in private, consensual oral or anal sex?
a.) 1972
b.) 1986
c.) 1998
FEDERAL
1.) Which of the following categories is not protected under the federal hate crimes law?
a.) sexual orientation
b.) nationality
c.) religion
2.) Along with California and Massachusetts, what other state recognizes legally performed same-sex weddings?
a.) Hawaii
b.) New York
c.) Vermont
3.) Discrimination based on HIV/AIDS status is prohibited under the:
a.) Ryan White Care Act
b.) Americans with Disabilities Act
c.) Employment Non-Discrimination Act
4.) If you are gay and you fall in love with someone from another country:
a.) you can enter a civil union, allowing your immigrant partner to apply for U.S. citizenship.
a.) you can marry in California or Massachusetts, and the immigrant partner automatically becomes a U.S. citizen.
b.) the relationship would not change the partner’s immigration status, since immigration benefits are not available to same-sex couples.
5.) The Defense of Marriage Act states that:
a.) federal marital benefits are only available to opposite-sex couples.
b.) individual states can decide whether to recognize or prohibit same-sex marriage.
c.) both a & b.
6.) Which three states are the only states that do not allow post-operative transgender residents to amend their birth certificate to note a change of sex?
a.) Idaho, Ohio, Tennessee
b.) Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia
c.) Indiana, Washington, New Mexico
7.) During times of war, military discharges for openly gay and lesbian soldiers:
a.) remain steady.
b.) increase dramatically to ensure that “cohesion and morale” is present on the battlefield.
c.) decrease significantly to help ensure the military has enough manpower.
8.) How many gay rights laws has the U.S. Congress passed since the Stonewall Riots in 1969?
a.) zero
b.) one
c.) three
9.) Which landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling played a key role in the Lawrence v. Texas ruling that struck down anti-sodomy laws in 2003?
a.) Brown v. Board of Education
b.) Roe v. Wade
c.) Loving v. Virginia
10.) As currently introduced in Congress, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would prohibit workplace discrimination based on:
a.) sexual orientation
b.) gender identity
c.) both a & b
DO YOU RECOGNIZE THESE FAMOUS FACES?
(numbered one through four clockwise starting from top)
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