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Politics
Stanton plans to lobby for bias ban
By LORRI HELFAND
Published April 25, 2007
Lawmakers introduced federal legislation Tuesday to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination at work. "In many states ... it is legal to fire someone who is gay, lesbian or transgendered unless there's a (local) law that says you can't," said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., one of the sponsors. Steve Stanton, who was fired as Largo city manager after he revealed plans to become a woman, said he plans to lobby for the bill. "I suspect it will not be passed unless there is active support from people such as me who have some real-life experience," he said. Stanton's situation is unfortunate, Frank said. "I don't understand why, if the person was a good manager one day, that person is a bad manager the next one," Frank said. Federal law already bans employment discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin and disability. Some states have protections for gay and transgender people. But in 33 states, including Florida, it is legal for a private employer to fire someone for being gay. In 42 states, it is legal to fire someone for being transgender. The bill would exempt religious organizations and the armed forces.
[Last modified April 25, 2007, 01:31:52]
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