Martin O'Malley
Related: About this forumO'Malley calls for increased LGBT protections.
The fight for equality for gays and lesbians is far from over, Democratic presidential hopeful and former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley said in a statement Monday calling for increased constitutional protections from discrimination.
While he called Fridays Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage a major step forward, O'Malley cautioned that our fight for equality continues." OMalley joined the call for Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which provides protections from workplace discrimination to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
In a majority of states, gay and lesbian employees can still be denied job opportunities or fired solely based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Twenty-eight states also lack laws banning discrimination in housing, he said in a statement Monday.
Passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to expand these protections at the federal level is a necessary next step. We must continue to improve our laws, to more fully protect the rights of every individual and more fully realize the vision of an open, respectful, and inclusive nation that Friday's decision aspires us to be."
OMalley lauded Maryland for passing a similar expansion of discrimination laws while he served as governor.
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/246472-omalley-calls-for-increased-protections-for-gays-lesbians
FSogol
(46,433 posts)Raine1967
(11,607 posts)Earlier this month, when ten Republicans in the Senate voted with all Democrats to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a barrier crumbled. A Republican amendment to protect religious groups from complying with the law put the effort over the top.
Maryland legislation protects employees from being discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation; we have yet to add gender identification. Maryland legalized gay marriage by voter referendum. While this effort will probably top out at 30 or so states, the momentum is strong now, and at least in parts of the country, should
In light of the Supreme Courts recent opinion in U.S. v. Windsor erjecting the Defense of Marriage Act, together with shifting public attitudes towards same-sex marriage and LGBT rights, many insiders believe the time is ripe for ENDA.
If he could get this passed as governor, he can get this done as President.