With July being the nationwide legalization of same sex marriage, many believe that the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender plus (LGBT+) community is equal in society. This, however, is not the case.

In only 22 states are three full nondiscrimination protections for gay, lesbian, and bisexual employees, and three of those states don’t extend to transgender individuals. This means that in 28 states, it is legal to be denied/kicked out of housing, fired from a job, or denied service at establishments due to a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The states that have failed to pass laws prohibiting employers discriminating against their employees are primarily in the South and Midwest, but that doesn’t mean that it has no effect on LGBT+ members in California (a nondiscriminatory state).

Members of the LGBT+ community find it disheartening and sd that they can’t truly be themselves, because people cannot push aside their personal views and opinions aside in a professional environment.

While it may not affect them now, the LGBT+ students in Tracy realize that this discrimination could be impactful in their future. Students who want to go to school or get a job out of California feel as if they have to avoid certain states in order to avoid the rejection that comes from discrimination.

While it may not seem important, but is equally relevant, recent surveys suggest that 60 percent of LGBT+ have been the subject/target of jokes/slurs, 40 percent have been rejected by a family member or close friend due to the way they identify, and 30 percent have been verbally threatened and/or physically attacked. This differs greatly from the straight community who believe that 92 percent of society is equally accepting to the community.