Gay-rights bill wins initial OK from House

DENVER - A bill to bar workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation survived a barrage of amendments Monday and received preliminary House approval on a party-line vote.

After an expected final approval today, the bill goes to Gov. Bill Ritter, who has said he will sign it. If he does, it will become law on the ninth try by Sen. Jen Veiga, a Denver Democrat and the only open lesbian in the Legislature.

SB25 prevents sexual orientation or religion from being considered in hiring, firing, demotions or promotions.

Already outlawed are discrimination based on age, race and disability.

After every Republican in the Senate voted against the measure two weeks ago, House Republicans attacked it from a bevy of angles Monday.

GOP representatives proposed unsuccessful amendments that would apply the law only to government agencies, would permit expressions of religion under the law and would exempt all religious organizations. As written, only religious organizations that receive no tax money are exempt.

Rep. Ray Rose, R-Montrose, proposed an amendment that would bar discrimination based on height, weight, hair color, eye color and body shape, prompting Rep. Marsha Looper, a Calhan Republican, to complain facetiously that she is subject to endless blonde jokes.

That offended Rep. Terrance Carroll, a Denver Democrat who is black, who accused Republicans of trying to trivialize the serious issue of discrimination against minorities.

“There’s never been anyone lynched because of their height in this nation,” Carroll said.

Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, retorted loudly that this was a very serious amendment that would not only correct documented discrimination but show that the Legislature was serious about outlawing all discrimination. Gardner said studies have shown that tall people are more likely to get jobs and raises, and Rep. Debbie Stafford, R-Aurora, said that obese people are less likely to get hired.

The speech had little effect — seven Republicans, including Teller County Rep. Victor Mitchell, defected and voted with the Democrats against the amendment.

Most of the battle on the floor was about whether religious organizations that receive some state funding, such as Catholic Charities and Lutheran Ministries, should be exempted.

Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, argued that it is a fundamental belief of many of those organizations that do significant social work that homosexuality is wrong. Requiring them to hire with a blind eye to gays and lesbians is an “egregious violation of the religious liberties of the people of Colorado,” he said.

Carroll replied that government money should not perpetuate religious beliefs.

“If you don’t want to abide by Caesar’s rules, maybe you shouldn’t take Caesar’s money,” he said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: (303)837-0613 or ed.sealover@gazette.com