House Republicans Now Face a Choice: Stand With Anti-Gay Extremism, or Stand with Common Sense

WASHINGTON – In response to the Senate’s vote today to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote employees because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, People For the American Way President Michael Keegan released the following statement:

“The Senate chose to stand on the right side of history today. 64 Senators chose to stand with the majority of Americans who believe that no person should be fired because of who they are or who they love. They chose to stand with decency, fairness, and basic common sense.

“The question now is whether the House Republican leadership will make the same choice or if they’ll keep pandering to their shrinking anti-gay base. We’ve seen far right leaders claim that ENDA will be used to protect pedophiles, “harm women and children,” and “force Christians into bankruptcy.” Speaker Boehner needs to decide whether he will cave to that kind of bigotry or stand with the vast majority of voters who support this legislation.”

For more information on the far right and ENDA, see People For the American Way’s Right Wing Watch analysis of recent anti-ENDA rhetoric or our round-up of the top ten Religious Right claims about the legislation.

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