Recent Developments Every Christian Should Know House Approves Ban against bias would be extended to gay workers By Johanna Neuman Washington- The House voted Wednesday to extend the nation’s employment discrimination protections to gay workers, the first time the longproposed measure has passed either chamber of Congress. In the debate, which lasted more than five hours, some members of Congress referred to the historic civil-rights fight against racial prejudice while others appealed to the Democratic majority not to infringe on the rights of Christians who consider homosexuality an offence to God. Rep. John Lewis, D-GA., Who survived for civil rights, said that he had “fought too long and too hard to end discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against discrimination against our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.” But Rep. Mark Souder, Rlnd., argued that, because of the bill, “religious rights will now be trumped by sexual rights.” Calling the bill a disaster for religious bookstores, which could be required to hire gay workers, he said the measure invited litigation and set “precedents that we will regret. Bias In The Workplace Under the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, businesses with 15 or more employees would be prohibited from discriminating in hiring, firing or promoting individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation. The armed forces, private clubs and religious organizations would be exempted. The 235-184 vote came after Democratic leaders, following weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations, opted not to include transgender individuals in the bill for fear that the inclusion on gender identity would cripple the coalition supporting the measure. That decision led to a bitter split among the bill’s backers, leaving advocates for transsexuals and transvestites angry. Bill’s Future Uncertain Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., who has pushed for the legislation for 30 years, said he regretted that political necessity dictated dropping sexual identity as a separate cause. But, nothing that “I also wish I could eat more and not gain weight, Frank, who is gay, said he would support the bill and “continue to fight.” The bill’s future is uncertain. The senate came within one vote of passing similar legislation in 1996, and sponsors say they have at least 51 votes in the Senate now. But a Republican filibuster threat would require 60 votes. The administration, in a statement of policy that recommended a veto, warned that the bill could weaken the Defense of marriage Act, which defines marriage as the legal union between a man and a woman. Still, backers hailed House passage as a historic first step, a recognition in federal law for the millions of Americans who describe themselves as gay or lesbian. Click on Anna's Thoughts |
|---|