The House on
Wednesday approved the first federal ban on job
discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.
Passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act came
despite protests from some gay rights supporters that
the bill does not protect transgender workers.
The House on
Wednesday approved the first federal ban on job
discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.
Passage of the
Employment Non-Discrimination Act came despite protests
from some gay rights supporters that the bill does not
protect transgender workers. That term covers
transsexuals, cross-dressers, and others whose outward
appearance does not match their sex at birth.
The measure would
make it illegal for employers to make decisions about
hiring, firing, promoting, or paying an employee based on
sexual orientation. It would exempt churches and the
military.
After the
235–184 vote, supporters are expecting a tough fight
in the narrowly divided Senate, where Massachusetts
Democrat Edward Kennedy plans to introduce a similar
version.
A veto from
President Bush is expected if the proposal does pass the
Senate.
Backers of the
House bill proclaimed it a major civil rights advance for
gays. ''Bigotry and homophobia are sentiments that should
never be allowed to permeate the American workplace,''
said House Majority whip James Clyburn of South
Carolina. (AP, Andrew Miga)
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