Washington: Governor Gregoire Introduces Anti-Discrimination Bill
A Washington state civil rights bill that captured nationwide attention after Microsoft's reversal of support helped scuttle it last spring gained new life after a key Republican lawmaker pledged to vote for it.
Former state Senate minority leader Bill Finkbeiner, a Republican from Kirkland, Wash., said he has split with his party on the issue and will support the bill closing a loophole that allows landlords and employers in the state to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
Before stepping down as leader in November, Finkbeiner joined fellow Republicans and two Democrats in opposing the bill, leading to its 25-24 defeat after passing by a large margin in the House. On Monday, however, he reversed his stance, giving civil rights advocates new hope for the bill's passage.
"I've had a number of conversations over the past year that have led me to more fully understand the level of discrimination against gays and lesbians, and I now find it is both appropriate and necessary for the state to make it clear that this is not acceptable," Finkbeiner said in a written statement.
Read entire story here.
Equal Rights Washington Executive Director Fran Dunaway released the following statement today:
BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITED IN SUPPORT TO PROTECT WASHINGTONIANS FROM DISCRIMINATION
"A coalition of businesses today announced their support of the anti-discrimination bill that was introduced in the house yesterday by Governor Gregoire. The anti-discrimination bill, HB2661, would extend protections from discrimination in housing, employment and other categories to include sexual orientation. Equal Rights Washington is proud to have worked with these companies to ensure that people across Washington are treated with fairness, equality and respect."
Posted by Bryan Harding
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at 2:44 PM.
Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.
ByAs an employer I choose not to hire homosexuals. I trust you will defend my right of choice won't you?
By
Hypothetically... As an employer I could decide not to hire you because you are a Christian? Would I do that? No. Is it against the law? Yes. Should it be against the law for me to discriminate based on who a person is - and not based on their skills, knowledge etc? That is plain and simple discrimination.
You would rather hire a person who is less qualified for a job solely because the other person is gay or lesbian? I'm not sure how large your business is, though if it were over a certain size I would make an educated guess that you already employ someone who is not of your preferred sexual orientation and you don't even know about it.
On top of you live in Eugene, Oregon. Eugene has an anti-discrimination law that encompasses sexual orientation. So I guess you are breaking the law.
» Post a Comment