Equality

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776

For all its simplicity, this was an incendiary statement two and a quarter centuries ago. Today, it is the basis for everything we believe in America (although, if it were written now, it would read "all people are created equal").

With the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, America took another giant leap forward along the path of true equality. Still, there are those who would like to see that progress stopped - even reversed. Our Supreme Court blocks attempts to guarantee equal pay for equal work and some in Congress openly push for an amendment to the Constitution legalizing discrimination by limiting the freedom of gay and lesbian Americans who seek only to marry the person they love.

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK

With President Obama's signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act, our country made bold progress toward the simple and equitable concept of equal pay for equal work.

On June 10, 2008, I spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives on the occasion of the 45th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's signing of the "Equal Pay Act":

"Madam Speaker, forty-five years ago today, President Kennedy signed a law to end what he called the 'unconscionable practice of paying female workers less wages than male workers for the same job.'

When President Kennedy signed the law, women earned 60 cents for every dollar earned by a man. In 2008, the woman's share is 77 cents. While we have made some progress in 45 years, it is scant at best. Since 1963, the ratio has narrowed by less than one-half cent per year. At this rate, my 13-year-old daughter will be close to retirement by the time President Kennedy's order is realized. That is why I am cosponsoring H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act, which adds teeth to previous laws.

Equal pay for equal work is as American as a principle can be. This is not about men versus women, but basic fairness. And its ramifications affect everyone. Paying women less hurts men who aren't hired because hiring a woman is cheaper. It hurts families by devaluing the work of women and mothers who are already paying out of pocket for child care so they can pursue a career. In short, it hurts all of America, and it must end right here, right now."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY 

Since 1789, the United States Constitution has been amended only 27 times. Notable amendments include the thirteenth amendment which abolished slavery, the fourteenth amendment which provided for equal protection under the law, and the nineteenth amendment which gave women the right to vote. The Constitution has never been amended to deny one group of citizens a right or privilege enjoyed by others. For this reason, I will always oppose any effort to insert an anti-marriage amendment into the Constitution.

I understand that there are those who believe that marriage is a sacred ritual between a man and a woman, but that does not give them the right to deny the many legal and social benefits that come with it to persons who believe differently than they do.   

Not too long ago, it was illegal for persons of different races to marry. When the Supreme Court finally struck down this prohibition, many were outraged. Beliefs about interracial marriage have changed significantly since then and I would venture to guess that the overwhelming majority of Americans agree that skin color and ethnicity should not hinder the right of an adult to marry whomever they choose.

Marriages are performed in a variety of ways in America. Many - indeed, most - take place in a house of worship. All, however, require the approval of local government authorities. They are legal, binding contracts. We do not limit, based on sexual orientation, the ability of adults to enter into other contracts, so it makes no sense to treat the marriage contract any differently. 

TRANSGENDER RIGHTS

No group of Americans should be denied the same basic rights as the rest of us. This includes those in the transgender community. Transgendered Americans currently suffer a 35% unemployment rate with 60% earning less than $16,000 a year. Just because a person is "different" than others - even if their "different-ness" makes others uneasy - is not an acceptable reason to deny that person due process and equal access to opportunities.

HIGHLIGHTS OF JACKIE SPEIER'S WORK TOWARD GREATER
EQUALITY WHILE IN THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE

• Required the inclusion of women and minorities in medical research and
  mandated research on conditions that are more prevalent in these groups.

• Prohibited health plans from imposing co-pays on maternity
  care that are higher than other co-pays within the plan.

• Mandated that employers educate all employees on what constitutes sexual
  harassment, the internal complaint process and legal remedies available to victims.

• Eliminated the 10 year statute of limitations for victims of rape
  and other serious sexual assault crimes.  

• Authorized registered domestic partners to receive access
  to loved-ones' birth and death certificates.  

• Allowed counties to extend the exemption from property tax reassessment granted
  to married couples upon death of a spouse to include non-traditional families.  

• Permitted death benefits and survivor's allowances
  to be payable to surviving domestic partners. 

• Established a statewide program of AIDS early-intervention projects providing counseling, laboratory follow-up and treatment for Californians infected with HIV.