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
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Joe Biden sends queer lawmakers & LGBTQ+ allies to Paris Olympics
July 24 2024 12:08 PM
Kamala Harris rides wave of Democratic energy at kickoff event in Wisconsin
July 23 2024 3:36 PM
'Devastated:' A six-week abortion ban will go into effect in Iowa next week
July 23 2024 2:28 PM
Four hours, 44,000 Black women, and one Zoom call
July 23 2024 2:17 PM
Record 1.2 million people show out for Cologne’s Pride parade
July 23 2024 10:51 AM
Here's how far-right activist Leonard Leo helped fund Bud Light boycott
July 23 2024 10:27 AM