Trump Administration Says Employers Can Fire People For Being Gay

[Ms. Toad]

6. Legally, in more than half of the states, he is correct.

http://outandequal.org/2017-workplace-equality-fact-sheet/

That's why when domestic partnership benefits started vanishing immediately after Obergefell, I suggested it was way too soon to require same gender couples to marry to obtain benefits.

Company A employs spouse A and offers spousal benefits. Company B employs spouse B and either doesn't offer benefits, spouse B doesn't work enough hours to qualify, or even Company B's benefits may not be as good as Company A (different doctor pool, for example, out of pocket cap that is $500, rather than $5,000). For whatever reason, Spouse B needs benefits through her spouse. BUT - Company B is bigoted and would fire Spouse B if it knew she was gay.

Getting married requires creating a public record. Requiring the couple to marry in order for Spouse B to obtain benefits through Spouse A forces them to choose between employment for Spouse B and benefits for Spouse B.

Marriage was a huge step - but we do not have equality yet.