Toward fairness in employment

Gazette Editorial Board

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A bipartisan majority in the U.S. Senate voted last week to extend federal protections against employment discrimination to include gays, lesbians and transgendered Americans. It's a step that was long overdue, and we urge the U.S. House to follow the Senate's lead.

Ten Republicans joined with Democrats for the 64-32 Senate vote. Under the measure, it's unlawful to make hiring or firing decisions based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. It includes exemptions for businesses with fewer than 15 employees and for churches, as well as schools, organizations and businesses directly affiliated with churches.

Iowa expanded its civil rights code to contain similar protections in 2007. We think all Americans should be protected from workplace discrimination. It's a matter of fundamental fairness that workers should be judged on their skills and performance on the job. That should be spelled out in federal law.

Opponents of the change insist it would punish people with strong religious objections to homosexuality, but we think the religious exemptions in the bill strike a proper balance. Critics also contend that the change will lead to litigation and complaints aimed at businesses. But in Iowa, just 4 percent of employment-based complaints filed with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission involve sexual orientation or gender identity.

With each big step down the road toward greater equality for LGBT citizens, critics have warned loudly that big problems will follow. But in every instance, those warnings have proved to be exaggerated for political effect. What's really happened is that Iowans and other Americans have seen their aspirations realized and their lives improved. There's no compelling reason now for the House to block that road.

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