Doom And Gloom For LGBT Rights As The New Congress Takes Office Today

The Human Rights Campaign gloomily assesses the new Congress.

As the new Congress is sworn in this week, there is no denying that pro-LGBT numbers have shrunk on Capitol Hill. A Human Rights Campaign analysis shows a pick-up of 53 House seats to anti-LGBT lawmakers as well as a 5 seat addition in the Senate. Not only do those opposing basic equality hold positions of power as House leaders and committee chairmen, their ranks have swollen to 225 – a solid majority of the chamber. This presents not just a roadblock to progress but also the threat of legislation that could be damaging to the community.

HRC warns that in addition to blocking any progress on pending LGBT rights legislation, the GOP may attempt to roll back recent advances by cutting funding for the Hate Crimes Act or by attempting to block the recent edict allowing hospital visitation privileges.