House approves ban on job bias against gays
Senate expected to soon weigh similar measure
Wednesday, November 7, 2007

WASHINGTON – The House voted Wednesday to extend the nation's employment discrimination protections to gay workers, the first time the long-proposed measure has passed either chamber of Congress.

In the debate, which lasted more than five hours, some members of Congress referred to the historic civil-rights fight against racial prejudice while others appealed to the Democratic majority not to infringe on the rights of Christians who consider homosexuality an affront to God.

Another excerpt: "But Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., argued that, because of the bill, "religious rights will now be trumped by sexual rights." Calling the bill a disaster for religious bookstores, which could be required to hire gay workers, he said the measure invited litigation and set "precedents that we will regret." the rest

NYT: House Approves Broad Protections for Gay Workers