CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Colorado state representatives have removed a provision protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination by health care workers. State representative Don Lee (R-Jefferson County) took a run-of-the-mill measure dealing with agency regulations and amended it to remove protections for gays under rules set by the Medical Services Board. His proposal was approved by the house Thursday. Lee argued that gays don't have state legal claims against discrimination now and that the rules would create a special protection for them. Senate Bill 88 passed on a 34-29 party-line vote, with a lone Republican, Rep. Gregg Rippy of Glenwood Springs, siding with Democrats. House minority leader Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver) said Lee's approach will also allow for discrimination against people who are older, believe in a certain religion, belong to an ethnic group, or have a physical disability. "Does it create a special protected class? It absolutely does not," Veiga said. "It provides some assurance to large sections of our society that they will get treatment." Rep. Shawn Mitchell (R-Broomfield) said that any medical professional who chooses not to treat someone would be disciplined under medical ethics or have a lawsuit slapped against them. "They will be sued for medical incompetence, but not for political incorrectness," Mitchell said. Several Democrats argued that the rule change would be unconstitutional. In 1996 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Colorado's Amendment 2, which would have prohibited passage of laws protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination. "We went down this road in Colorado with Amendment 2," said Rep. Alice Madden (D-Boulder). "It wasn't a pretty trip."
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
30 Steamy Photos of Folsom Street Fair 2023 Debauchery
October 15 2023 11:06 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
60 Burly Pics from Bearrison Street Fair 2022
October 08 2023 8:30 PM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Utah violated rights of trans woman inmate who performed surgery on herself, DOJ finds
March 25 2024 12:30 PM
We kiki with Jake Shears about Cabaret, Tammy Faye, Elton, and more
March 25 2024 9:52 AM
Prince William's aversion to spectacle created one — and might spawn a King Harry
March 22 2024 6:24 PM
Outrage after Oklahoma prosecutor declines charges in Nex Benedict bullying death
March 22 2024 5:21 PM
George Santos leaves Republican Party, will run for House seat as independent
March 22 2024 4:07 PM
Catherine, Princess of Wales, announces she has cancer
March 22 2024 2:57 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedProhibition Wellness & revolutionizing self-care for all
March 22 2024 1:19 PM
Tennessee bill would permit anti-LGBTQ+ foster and adoptee parents
March 22 2024 11:54 AM