This week, the Human Rights Campaign joined a coalition of more than 40 national and state advocates to support important legislation that would establish the nation’s first-ever insurance program for paid family and medical leave helping to ensure that workers are able to take leave at times they need it most.
Even in today’s economy, American workers are too often forced to choose between the health and well-being of their families and financial stability, because taking paid leave is simply not an option. The FAMILY Act would provide great peace of mind to all families, including LGBTQ families, whether it’s a transgender father taking the time to be with his adopted child or an older lesbian seeking to care for her partner with cancer.
HRC applauds Representative DeLauro (D-CT) and Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) for reintroducing the FAMILY Act, important legislation that will strengthen American families, and in turn its businesses.
The FAMILY Act ensures employees have access to 12 weeks of partial income if they take time off for their health, a serious health problem of a child, parent, spouse, or domestic partner, the birth or adoption of a child, and/or military caregiving and leave purposes.
LGBTQ families face higher rates of poverty than the overall public so having inclusive paid leave would help ensure our families will not have to risk their economic livelihood when they need to take time off to care for loved ones. Families that are headed by same-sex couples earn on average $15,000 less than a family headed by different-sex couples. Children who are raised by same-sex couples, compared to those who are raised by different-sex couples, are twice as likely to be in poverty. Paid leave will work to correct this problem by helping all families stay out of poverty and live healthy lives.
HRC is working along with the FAMILY Act’s sponsors to build support for the legislation and will keep you updated on its progress.
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