Today in the Los Angeles Times I read Johanna Nueman's article called "Bill to expand job protections to gay workers passes House". Neuman writes that "the House voted Wednesday to extend the nation's employment discrimination protections to gay workers". According to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, "businesses with 15 or more employees would be prohibited from discriminating against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation when hiring, firing, or promoting them. The armed forces, private clubs, and religious organizations would be exempted".
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed workplace discrimination of an individual on the basis of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity. In the years since, Congress has added age and disability to the list. Basically, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would further expand the Civil Rights Act and add sexual orientation to the list of categories employers are banned from discriminating against.
Apparently, there was quite an emotional debate regarding this bill with it ultimately passing with a 235-184 vote. Many Democrats including Rep.John Lewis (GA) argued in favor of the bill saying that gay rights are akin to civil rights, and 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". Others made the point that the bill was a positive step towards ending irrational hate and fear against homosexuals in our society.
Republicans opposed to the bill argued that "Christians who displayed their Bibles or even pulled out verses at their work stations" could be sued for making a "hostile environment" for homosexuals. Rep.Mark Souder (R-Ind.) said that because of the bill "religious rights will now be trumped by sexual rights".
President Bush has threatened to veto the bill becasue he is afraid that the bill will somehow weaken the Defense of Marriage Act which defines marriage as an act between a man and a woman. Thus, the future of this bill is uncertain.
Do you support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act? Why or why not?
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13 comments:
I agree with the bill and am very happy to see some progress in homosexual rights. I think that it is a positive step in civil rights for all.
I also agree with the bill. Here is my example. If I was an employer, I would not care about any of the desciptions about ther person. I would not care whether the pserson had 1 arm or 5, gay or straigh, fat or thin, thier race, religion, etc. What matters is how well qualified and how well they do the job.
Also whether one is gay or straight i personally dont mind. As long as im not bothered, I can not careless. BUT what does annoy me are the religious people that run about screaming that homosexuality is a sin (no offence to those who like doing that). This disturbs me quite alot versus the homosexual who just wants a quite life.
According to our text, only 2 to 3% of people report having a homosexual orientation, so it directly affects a relatively small amount of people. I say "directly affects" in that what people do in the privacy of their own bedroom has little if any consequence on other people, unlike the issues of health care and education which have a very direct effect on each and every person. I find it interesting, therefore, that many people in the Republican party seem to vote against their own best interests because they would rather vote against gay rights. This leads me to guess that homosexuality is an emotional issue for many and thus it makes a great wedge issue to keep voters divided. I agree with Phil in that I am also bothered by those "screaming that homosexuality is a sin." I was wondering...why do you think some people feel the need to do this and why does it bother you?
GOOD. What took them so long? Now I’m just hoping that the bill becomes law. A person’s sexual orientation should not define what they are capable of. But I honestly did not know that it would be necessary to expand the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to gay people in order to get respect. I don’t understand why anyone would treat a person differently simply because they are homosexual. Maybe I’m just ignorant, right? NO! It is them and not I. The world has gone through too many wars, genocides, and even holocaust; there is no reason what so ever for which we should still be searching for that “divine” race. THERE IS NO SUCH THING!
And if president Bush is concerned about the weakening of the Defense of Marriage Act simply because it defines marriage as an act between a man and a woman then maybe-just maybe- it is also time to reword the Defense of Marriage Act :D
In response to the screaming that homosexuality is a sin and the fact that some people feel the need and do this I would say that it’s all on religion. I speak from personal experience. I grew up in a home where one of my parents was a catholic and the other an Evangelical Christian. The belief that homosexuality is a god forsaken sin was taught by both of these religious leaders. Actually, it is also stated in the Bible, the most sold book worldwide. In an excerpt from the bible it is said that a whole city was burned down as a punishment from god. The reason given is that they were living in sin, it then goes on to state that it was a world of corruption, filled with homosexuality and all were far from salvation. Now don’t get me wrong I am not one to judge anyone other than myself. But as far as I’m concerned the strongest discrimination towards homosexuals and the belief that is an act of sin is derived from religious principles.
I agree with everything stated by Phil ... with the exception of his apology. I believe you should take it back. No seriously. If this is the way you feel about unrestrained religious people then let it be heard; no need for apologies. They deserve it; right? Those people ar ruining the lives of others simply because they disagree with theri choice of sexual orientation. If the obnoxious "religious" people were really absurdly interrfering with the lives others in hope that they would repent and seek salvation they would definitely find a more efficient less disturbing way to do so; and it would do us all great sevice!
THrugreeneyez- as far as the Republicans go --> the state of California didnt get a break on minimum wage until the Democrats took office ... well, majority in both houses of congress.
I also agree with the bill because even though I believe it's not right for a person to like someone that is the same sex as them, its their choice if they want to be homosexual then they should be allowed to be homosexual. I think that you can't stop someone from they way they feel if they like someone who is the same sex its not like you can just tell them to stop and they will stop, it's like telling a straight person to like someone who is the same sex as them. I know people who are bisexual and even though I could never be a homosexual, I think they should have the same rights as I, as a straight person, do.
I agree with the bill because everyone deserves a fair chance. Although I don't believe that homosexuality is good, I think we should treat people the way we want to be treated. I have dealt with all kinds of people. I agree with Phil that it shouldn’t matter what they are as long as it doesn’t interfere with their job. So as long the worker’s behavior is decent, at least when they are at work, then I would not mind. There is no way to tell what's in their minds.
WOW... I put the apology there so I would not have to be told off... I guess that back fired on me nicely. Anywho President Bush is not in the right state of mind when he says that the bill will weaken the Defence of Marriage Act. What difference does it make if marriage is between a man and a woman or between two people of the same sex?
For all I know having them married might make them work harder for thier partners and thus provide better workers.
I think the only reason why Bush doesn't want to give gay people more rights is because they would also get money benefits, which means the government will get less money. At this point it seems like he doesn't really care about the people as much as the public thinks. Money is one of the only things in mind when it comes to government. I people have become so self centered these days. I know a lot of people who only care about things that effect them. Since homosexuality is fairly uncommon people don't think about it much.
Man man Women women , Man Women , it shouldnt matter. You should be free to choose they way in which you wish to live you life style. You shouldnt be jusged or relieved of you benefits just because of your seual orientation. People have free will. Life liberty and the Persuit of Happiness. Enough said
I agree with bill and everyone else. You shouldnt care or make homesexuality a factor in anything dealin gin the workplace. Its not right fair or Justifyable
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