As a lawyer (who happens to be gay), you’re absolutely wrong. Yes, the Constitution provides all Americans with equal rights. But civil rights legislation provides the mechanism for minorities to enforce their equal rights in court.
Sure. Let’s say a government official doesn’t want to let you adopt or transfer property to a spouse because you’re gay (or black, or a woman, or a Muslim). Without civil rights laws, the courts can’t provide you a remedy.
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Or let’s say a hotel won’t rent you a room. Or a restaurant won’t serve you. Because you’re gay (or Hispanic, or Jewish). Without civil rights laws, you can’t go to court to enforce your rights to be treated equally.
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Now there are some court remedies for government discrimination absent civil rights laws. But it’s much tougher. See school desegregation.
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