Bill Banning Anti-Gay Job Discrimination Has Votes to Pass Senate

House passage is not likely

The Senate is set to advance legislation banning workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity – a victory for gay rights supporters despite the bill's dim prospects in the House.

The measure, known as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, faces a key test vote in the Senate Monday evening.

It appears to have support from at least 60 senators — the threshold needed to avoid a filibuster — after Dean Heller (R-Nev.) said he would endorse the bill.

A "patchwork of state laws excludes tens of millions of Americans from basic protection against discrimination. It is simply not good enough," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Monday. "As long as hardworking, qualified Americans can be denied job opportunities, fired or harassed because of their sexual orientation or gender identify, all workers are at risk."

Comments

[LVMises]

Come on Reason, you're better than this. This bill is not "a victory for gay rights", because everyone has equal rights: We have the right to free association.

By infringing on our right to free association, this bill would diminish human rights for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. Forced labor and forced association is already happening on the state level:

"In 2006 she refused to photograph a gay marriage ceremony for Vanessa Willock and her partner, citing religious beliefs. Elaine and her business came to national attention after the couple sued her, claiming discrimination."

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jo.....iage-case/

[Gorilla tactics]

Can't we just admit that the whole "civil rights" schtick is just way for the state to permanently encroach into employee/employer relations to their point where eventually all freedoms will be lost?

I mean c'mon "anti gay" discrimination, give me a break-I can't SEE someone who is gay or lesbian or transgendered or two spirited or whatever-how can you discriminate against something you can't see?