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 Expansion Of Colorado Non-Discrimination Law
Advances
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: May 2, 2008 - 3:00 pm ET
(Denver, Colorado) Legislation that would expand
a non-discrimination law to protect gays and lesbians in housing and public accommodation
has cleared its first hurdle in the Colorado House.
The a broader version of the bill passed the
Senate last month. The two bills must now be harmonized and go through a
final vote.
The law already covers sexuality in employment
under a bill signed last year by Gov. Bill Ritter.
Under the expanded bill passed by the Senate, in
addition to protections in housing and public accommodation, gays and lesbians
would also be covered in the areas of consumer-credit transactions,
membership in unions and other areas.
House Republicans lined up against the measure, claiming the bill would
violate religious freedom.
Rep. Dorothy Butcher (D) called that view nonsense, telling lawmakers that Jesus wanted people to "love your neighbor
as you love yourself."
Nevertheless, GOP Rep. Amy Stephens said that if passed the legislation would result in a flood of
frivolous lawsuits.
Another Republican, Rep. Kevin Lundberg, attempted to weaken the bill by
removing references to public accommodations but failed to get enough votes.
Had his amendment passed it would have meant hotels, restaurants
and other businesses would have been exempt from the legislation.
House and Senate committees must now put the two versions of the legislation
into one bill for final passage.
Ritter has not commented on the legislation but is widely expected to sign
it.
©365Gay.com 2008
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