Landmark Bill On Anti-Gay Discrimination Passes House

New York Times:

The House on Wednesday approved a bill granting broad protections against discrimination in the workplace for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals, a measure that supporters praised as the most important civil rights legislation since the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 but that opponents said would result in unnecessary lawsuits.

The bill, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, is the latest version of legislation that Democrats have pursued since 1974. Representatives Edward I. Koch and Bella Abzug of New York then sought to protect gay men and lesbians with a measure they introduced on the fifth anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, the brawl between gay men and police officers at a bar in Greenwich Village that is widely viewed as the start of the American gay rights movement.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[nihilon x]

Just one more step in the right direction.

Eventually we will one day actually live up to the principles of freedom and equality that this nation was founded upon, but until then the march forward continues.

[repubesnivel]

There is not one person who posts on Huffpo who doesn't have a gay person in their family somewhere.

Not one goddamn one of you. You do harm when you take a position against a minority simply because they are different from you.

Not only that, you show complete ignorance and a lack of inner strength. IOW, you're scared of your own shadow.

[Giordano Bruno]

In the organization I work in, there is a definite double standard. Gender or sexual discrimination is still taken far more seriously than discrimination based on sexual orientation. And to those who say there is not discrimination based on sexual orientation, you are kidding yourself. Right here in Northern California I've seen it. giordy

[maxfusion]

Oh, OOOO, Ahhhh, such vital legislation to protect the multitudes from the daily indignation they endure. Cite me 5 cases, in recent history, of people being fired because they're homosexual. If soft in the slippers Sam is turning 600,000 widgets a year, and making the company money, that's that.

[LorettaSingbiel]

Opponents said it would result in unnecessary lawsuits. Representative Doc Hastings of Washington said he opposed the overall bill because many states already had similar laws and because he viewed it as intrusive. “I do not think it is the place of the federal government to legislate how each and every place of business operates,” Mr. Hastings said.

Well Doc...I do not think it is the place of the federal government to legislate The GLBT Community as though they were SECOND CLASS citizens. What would Doc do if HIS kid faced the words "YOU'RE FIRED", for a reason IRRELEVANT to his job performance? HE'D SUE THE BASTARDS!

Our Civil Rights BATTLE for Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals AND TRANSGENDERS will continue till JUSTICE IS DONE!

And to that ARROGANT SOB who intends to VETO it....I say "BRING IT ON!"

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[JohnJames]

Huffblow is approaching a Troll Orgasm.

[sdskelton03]

They should just call this the Bar Association Income Security Act of 2007.

[beachbumliberal401]

THREE CHEARS FOR REP. BARNEY FRANK, AND ALL THE
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
A SENSE OF INTEGRITY DOES PREVAIL AFTERALL.

[repubesnivel]

What I want to know is why in hell is it any business of yours or mine what people do in their private lives?

Are you trolls so uncertain about your own masculinity you think you are macho when you put down gays?

What you actually do is show what scared little wusses you are.

LOOK OUT, THERE'S A GAY MAN IN THE SAME STATE YOU LIVE IN. OH OH, THERE'S A LESBIAN TOO...YOU MAY NOT SURVIVE.

[whitewaterwillie]

This thread has sure brought out the the "Fred Phelps" trolls in force. Why should I be surprised?

[Chris]

Seems to make sense. Though the perceived line is worrisome because it is subjective and diffulcult to prove either way.

Ex. office of 7. 3 think #7 is gay and 3 do not think. What is the perception?

I wonder how this will work with the military don't ask don't tell policy.

[Moshe]

Every person has a right to common respect, and no one should have to suffer discrimination in the work place or anywhere else.

But wow, the DEMS sure have a talent for giving the GOP a club to beat them with.

Talk about handing red meat GOP.

Here we go again . . .

[MaxundMoritz]

Barney Frank,is he not the guy that molested under age,male Pages some time ago(classified as children or minors)??

[MaxundMoritz]

I just hope this legislation also covers the guys and gals,that lope their own mule!!

[enoughalready]

"Liberty and justice for all".

Except in a Bush world!