RK ARCHIVE - Virginia Republican Rep's Favor Anti-Gay Employment Discrimination?

I say this because yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 235-184 in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA. Of the 184 "nay" votes, 159 came from the Republican side of the aisle. Tom Davis, voted "yes." But not the rest of the Virginia Republicans -- Cantor, Drake, Forbes, Goode, Goodlatte and Wolf. These Republicans apparently oppose making it illegal for an employer:

*"...to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment of the individual, because of such individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation"

*"...to limit, segregate, or classify the employees or applicants for employment of the employer in any way that would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment or otherwise adversely affect the status of the individual as an employee, because of such individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation."

Even worse, the Virginia Republicans' opposition to employment protection for gays and lesbians comes about despite the fact that the bill even provides an exemption for religious organizations and also for the U.S. military. What possible reason would Cantor, Goode, Wolf et al. have to oppose this bill, you might ask? Do these people actually FAVOR allowing employers to discriminate against gays in hiring, firing, promoting or paying an employee? Is that what Republicans believe? Do they really want to go against the views of 89% of the American people? Apparently so.

Comments

Republicans DO Favor Discrimination Against Gays (charleyconrad - 11/9/2007 10:38:53 AM)

Is it any suprise that republicans discriminate against gays, and guess what if they discriminate against gays who else do they discriminate against in that dark side of their brains and hearts? That is why the Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club works very hard to elect Democrats. Any gay who votes for a republican is just crazy. It is the Democratic Party that is most likely to support our causes and invite us to have a seat at the table. The Virginia Partisans played a significant role during the last election cycle by working with and being a partner with the Democratic Party of Virginia. Our fund raising efforts helped elect a Democratic Senate and helped gain four more seats in the House of Delegates. Gays need to be engaged in the political process more than ever and it starts by joining the Virginia Partisans and by joining local Democratic Committees. And work I mean get out there and work as an activist. This is not a spectator sport. If we want real change we need to work. It is for the heart and soul of our people and our Democratic Party. Working as precinct captains or as a volunteer to get out the vote it one of the most critical jobs that any local Democratic Committee needs. It is people working that will get out the vote. Join us and help us sweep the state in 2008. Our website is www.vapartisans.org. We will be working very hard in 2008 for Mark Warner for Senate and for a Presidential Candidate that will put Virginia in the Democratic column for the first time since LJB was elected. We love our straight allies and we encourage their membership to help us do what we do best. Elect Democrats. Join us and help make a dramatic change in Virginia. www.vapartisans.org Charley Conrad, President my email is: president@vapartisans.org