LGBT
No one should be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation.
Every person is entitled to respect, dignity, and equality under the law. This is true regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Equality is one of the most fundamental principles of who we are as Americans, and, in Congress, Jim will work to ensure that all Americans are treated equally under the law.
Marriage Equality
Jim Himes supports marriage equality. Same-sex couples should have the same choices that other couples have, including whether or not to marry, and they should have access to the benefits and responsibilities of legally recognized relationships-including health insurance, unemployment compensation, taxes, immigration status, inheritance, family leave, and hospital visitation.
In recent years, there have been many misguided efforts by the federal government to legislate in this area. Jim opposes efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. He also supports the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act and would oppose any effort to strip the courts of jurisdiction to hear civil rights challenges to discriminatory laws.
Employment Discrimination
Jim strongly supports the original version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. No hiring, firing, or other employment decision should ever be based on an employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Ending Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
In Congress, Jim will work to pass legislation to repeal the "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell" policy and to prohibit discrimination in the military on the basis of sexual orientation. The most important determining factors for serving in our military are a person’s patriotism, sense of duty, and willingness to serve; his or her sexual orientation should have nothing to do with it. Given the current strains on our military, it is shameful that the U.S. government wastes millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation and jeopardizes our security by firing hundreds of language experts, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Jim will work to repeal the current policy and ensure that the military adopts a non-discriminatory policy that guarantees everyone’s civil rights while also fulfilling our national defense goals.
