Currently, we find that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people are forced to live as second-class citizens throughout most of the U.S. Only 12 of the 50 states have non-discrimination statutes, and the executive order (on federal hiring) that was signed into law by former President Clinton could be reversed in the current political climate. We find ourselves being legally discriminated against in employment, civil unions (or the lack thereof), housing, custody battles, and a host of other arenas. ''Gay bashing'' remains a severe problem, as do judicial bias and negative media portrayal. We have, in short, a LONG way to go to catch up with Europe and Canada in the area of GLBT rights.