Gay rights bill clears key hurdle in Senate

[DonViejo]

Source: WaPo



The Senate cleared a critical hurdle Monday on legislation banning discrimination against gays in the workplace, demonstrating the latest shift in a dramatic transformation of political views toward homosexual rights over the last decade.

Seven Republicans joined 54 Democrats Monday evening in a vote to formally begin consideration of the bill — virtually guaranteeing passage later this week -- on legislation that would prohibit discrimination in the workplace against gays.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/11/04/senate-votes-to-proceed-with-gay-rights-bill/

[Zorra]

1. If republicans kill ENDA, Americans will destroy the republican party in 2014. nt

[DonViejo]

2. It will be killed in the House...

Boehner has announced his opposition to its passage:

http://www.salon.com/2013/11/04/boehner_announces_opposition_to_enda/

<img alt="Boehner announces opposition to ENDA" title="Boehner announces opposition to ENDA" src="">

[Rebellious Republican]

3. I will give you three choices as to what republicans prefer. Two are correct!

[Swede Atlanta]

4. Bo-ner has said he opposes this because it will kill American jobs......

I assume this means he will either not bring it to the floor of the House for a vote or will rally his conference to oppose it.

I don't understand his logic. This is about ensuring that LGBT Americans cannot be discriminated against in employment, housing and other areas of public accommodation simply because of their orientation.

He cites the possibility of lawsuits. Well yes, if you make discrimination illegal and businesses engage in discrimination, it will create the potential for lawsuits.

But is this a reason to deny the millions of LGBT Americans (assuming we are a nation of 330 million and rough estimates are between 4 and 8% of the population are LGBT that makes about 4-5 million) protections in the most basic human rights?

Indeed the American people have moved beyond this and support, with a comfortable margin, marriage equality for LGBT persons. Denying them an even more basic right to be free of discrimination in employment, housing, etc. is not going to be favorable to those same voters.

The Republicans have lost the culture war on this one. This is a losing proposition just as it is with denying a woman's right to choose.

They will pay a heavy price in 2014 for this poor policy choice.

[Rebellious Republican]

5. Whats not to understand?

The party of NO!

[gopiscrap]

6. Excellent now if it can only pass in the House