Further emperical proof and statistics on the new anti-gay 112th Congress

Further emperical proof and statistics on the new anti-gay 112th Congress.

As a more conservative 112th Congress is being sworn in today, gay
rights supporters are bracing for major challenges that will lie
ahead.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has surveyed the new Congress and
determined that there are many more anti-LGBT legislators than in the
111th Congress.

The HRC analysis shows a swing of 53 House seats and five Senate seats
to anti-LGBT lawmakers.

The Republican domination in the November elections has caused a huge
shift in Congress. The House swings from a pro-LGBT majority to an
anti-LGBT majority. The Senate swings from a pro-LGBT majority to an
even split.

Look at the figures. And weap.

House
--------------- 111th ----- 112th ----- Variance
Anti-LGBT ----- 172 ----- 225 ----- +53
Pro-LGBT ----- 196 ----- 167 ------ -29
Mixed record ---65 ------- 43 ----- -22

Senate
--------------- 111th ----- 112th ----- Variance
Anti-LGBT ------ 35 ------- 40 -------- +5
Pro-LGBT ------ 42 ------- 40 -------- -2
Mixed record -- 23 ------- 20 -------- -3

Although there is circumstantial evidence that social issues such as
gay rights are becoming less of a campaign issue for Republicans, many
of the new members of Congress were supported by right-wing
conservatives and the so-called Tea Party faithful who are less likely
to give an inch on marriage equality or anti-discrimination laws. The
pressure will be intense on the new legislators to toe the party line.

This does not bode well for progress on equal rights.

A key question is whether the 112th Congress will try to roll back any
of the progress that has been achieved so far.

It is imperative that the LGBT community and its allies in the
struggle for equal rights keep up the pressure on Congress to do the
right thing.

More:
http://www.sdgln.com/commentary/2011/01/05/commentary-112th-congress-much-less-gay-friendly-endangering-equal-rights-prog

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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

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