Government agency

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. P.O. Box 12549 Cincinnati, Ohio, 45212-0549. (800)669-3362.

No federal office exists that advocates same-sex marriage rights, probably because same-sex marriage is illegal in most states. However, federal standards are in place that prohibit companies from hiring or firing based on sexual orientation. The Web site for the EEOC details possible grounds for discrimination complaints and also offers a federal complaint form. This site could be an important resource for journalists because it offers details on what rights LGBT Americans do have. Even if civil unions, domestic partnerships and same sex marriages are only recognized in a handful of states, it is illegal across the nation to discriminate based on sexuality. The site also offers a newsroom with litigation state-by-state, which could assist journalists in hunting for local stories.