If nothing Nebraska lawmakers are consistent, continuing a 14 year tradition of voting down attempts to add sexuality to the categories protected under the state's anti-discrimination law. The Senate voted 24-15 to kill the most recent bill, introduced by Sen. Ernie Chambers.
Prior to the vote Chambers said the legislation would give gays and lesbians "what all of us take for granted: the right to earn an honest living. We're not talking about anything other than the right to get a job."
Two Republicans led the attack on the bill. Sen. Tony Fulton said it would give special rights to homosexuals and said it could lead to protections for to pedophiles and transvestites. Sen. Tom Carlson said gays don't need workplace protections as long as they keep their sex lives in the closet. "We're talking here about values. We're talking here about behavior. We're talking here about ethics," he said.
Nebraska law currently prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on race, color, religion, sex, disability or national origin.
Two of Nebraska's neighbors passed civil rights protections earlier this year. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver is scheduled to sign that state's bill into law at a ceremony Friday. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to sign a similar bill passed in that state. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia already have laws banning discrimination against gays and lesbians in employment.
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