Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the LGB Community

Photo of President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with Civil Rights leaders looking on.

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The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the LGB Community

"We have talked long enough in this country about equal rights. We have talked for one hundred years or more. It is time now to write the next chapter, and to write it in the books of law." – President Lyndon Baines Johnson –

The imposing courthouse building in the heart of our nation’s capital has the promise of our country carved deep into its facade: Equal Justice Under Law. These powerful words have guided and continue to guide us all to keep perfecting ourselves to fulfill this promise for all. Throughout the more than two-century of our collective history as a nation, this process has made many leaps and bounds towards progress and also at the same time has had many setbacks towards the goal along the way. One of these moments where progress was made towards this goal was that of the signing that took place in 1968 by then-President Lyndon Baines Johnson of the Civil Rights Act. This historic and landmark law was a stepping stone and a foundation from which all civil rights and the many other challenges regarding these basic rights stem then and now. 

Now, more than fifty years have passed since the landmark legislation was codified on the books. Together as a nation has made much progress in this fight but at the same time, we must also remind ourselves that this is an ongoing story. This plight of the black Americans did not end with the signing of the Civil Rights Act, instead it served as a watershed moment and a moment that showed through sit-ins, freedom rides, marches, and other acts of civil disobedience. From the shadows of the black civil rights movement, to the indigenous rights movement and the women’s suffrage movement, dozens of other minority groups have drawn inspiration in the challenge for their own civil rights.

The words again that echo the promise of equal justice have defined many civil rights cases; from the very beginning of our shared national history regarding issues of due process, workers' rights and protections, disability rights, school segregation, and marriage equality (both between couples who identify LGB and interracial). Regarding the equality and protection of the equal rights of LGB, many victories have been made within the past decade from LGB marriage rights (Defense Of Marriage Act), workers' rights for minorities, sex or gender identity, religion, disability or any other discrimination, the rescinding of equal military services, and pride in their true identity (Don’t Ask Don’t Tell), and the visibility of the beautiful spectrum of gender non-conforming and queer life has made leaps and bounds. Yet the fight still goes on for those pursuing their promised civil rights. Yes, it is much easier to live out of the closet and live with the same American dream and promise in so many areas of life here, but we must also remember that progress can easily be taken away again. To put it simply, equal rights and the benefits that come with the American promise and dream are as fragile as those who fight and continue to fight and safeguard them like the Supreme Court and or state by state laws.