There's a cliche that earns against inequality and double standards: "What's good for the goose is good for the gander." In theory, most people support this ideology. Fairness. Equal opportunity.
"All men are created equal." -The US Declaration of Independence.
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." -The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one..." -The Holy Bible.
"O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.” -The Quran
"Love your neighbor as you love yourself." The Torah
"Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfill themselves.” -Nelson Mandela
"...I find yet a greater equality amongst men than that of strength..." -Thomas Hobbes
So we say this. But do we mean it?
When people whose skin, serostatus, age, religion, abilities, and/or other characteristics are "different," how far does this equality really go?
When services and accommodations are denied in schools and places of employment, there is not equality.
When violent crimes can be committed against certain groups and go unpunished, there is not equality.
When health needs are minimized or ignored, there is not equality.
When medications and medical interventions that are REQUIRED for an individual to LIVE (i.e. insulin, chemotherapy, HIV anti-retroviral medications, feeding tubes, breathing equipment, etc) are discontinued or denied because of semantics and bureaucracy, there is not equality.
When people die of starvation while millions of pounds of uneaten food are thrown away, there is not equality.
When laws, such as the criteria used to determine "earned" and "unearned" income are interpreted and applied in a manner that causes disabled entrepreneurs to be financially penalized for efforts toward self-sufficiency (resulting in insufficient benefits needed to pay for food, housing, and shelter), there is not equality:
http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title16b/1612.htm