A push to end workplace discrimination against gays and lesbians has failed many times over the last decade, but could gain new traction with Democrats in control of Congress.
Kansas City Democrat Rep. Emanuel Cleaver is moving a bill in the House that would prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Missouri is among 31 states where it remains legal to fire someone or refuse to hire someone if they are gay.
This measure would make it illegal for businesses with 15 or more employees to make decisions about hiring, firing, promoting or paying an employee based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Churches and the military would be exempt.
While Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., has not seen the specifics of the bill, she said she has been "very supportive in the past and I would continue to be supportive of any legislation that ferrets out discrimination."
Missouri's senior senator, Republican Kit Bond, said he would examine the bill "if and when" it comes before the Senate.
A House panel is set to take up the bill later this month.
2 comments:
I support the bill.. but how often does someone get fired because they are gay?
you'd be suprised how often it happens.
however, the records that are available are not accurate because often people do not report such incidents.
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