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Legislation prohibiting discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation passed the House of Representatives Thursday.
House Bill 5, sponsored by House Majority Leader Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, cleared the chamber by a 26-14 bipartisan vote. The bill would prohibit discrimination against a person based on their sexual orientation – defined as heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality – whether the orientation is real or perceived in areas of housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations or insurance. The bill is nearly identical to three previous incarnations that have passed the House with bipartisan support.
State law already prohibits discrimination based on age, religion, gender, race, marital status and physical handicap. HB 5 would add sexual orientation to that existing list.
“This is equal rights legislation, not special rights legislation,” Rep. Schwartzkopf said. “This legislation is based on the very foundation on which our country stands – that we treat all of our citizens with dignity and respect, and that includes respecting the human rights of all people. Discrimination in any form is wrong. Right now, people can be denied housing or a job if someone disagrees with a person’s sexual orientation or what they think is their sexual orientation.
“There are a lot of misunderstandings about the bill. One popular misconception that often is thrown out is that this bill will change marriage or civil unions. HB 5 has absolutely nothing to do with marriage. Marriage is defined in a completely different section of the state code as specifically being prohibited between persons of the same gender.”
House Bill 5 specifically exempts religious organizations, associations or societies from the employment section of the law, even if they are supported by government funds, unless the job in question pertains solely to taxable income. Churches would not be forced to hire someone whose sexual orientation runs counter to the churches’ teachings.
This is the fourth time in nine years that similar anti-discrimination legislation has passed the House. The 26 “yes” votes are the most the bill has received.
Legislation prohibiting discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation passed the House of Representatives Thursday.
House Bill 5, sponsored by House Majority Leader Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, cleared the chamber by a 26-14 bipartisan vote. The bill would prohibit discrimination against a person based on their sexual orientation – defined as heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality – whether the orientation is real or perceived in areas of housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations or insurance. The bill is nearly identical to three previous incarnations that have passed the House with bipartisan support.
State law already prohibits discrimination based on age, religion, gender, race, marital status and physical handicap. HB 5 would add sexual orientation to that existing list.
“This is equal rights legislation, not special rights legislation,” Rep. Schwartzkopf said. “This legislation is based on the very foundation on which our country stands – that we treat all of our citizens with dignity and respect, and that includes respecting the human rights of all people. Discrimination in any form is wrong. Right now, people can be denied housing or a job if someone disagrees with a person’s sexual orientation or what they think is their sexual orientation.
“There are a lot of misunderstandings about the bill. One popular misconception that often is thrown out is that this bill will change marriage or civil unions. HB 5 has absolutely nothing to do with marriage. Marriage is defined in a completely different section of the state code as specifically being prohibited between persons of the same gender.”
House Bill 5 specifically exempts religious organizations, associations or societies from the employment section of the law, even if they are supported by government funds, unless the job in question pertains solely to taxable income. Churches would not be forced to hire someone whose sexual orientation runs counter to the churches’ teachings.
This is the fourth time in nine years that similar anti-discrimination legislation has passed the House. The 26 “yes” votes are the most the bill has received.
