Iowa Senate passes LGBT rights bill

Iowa's state Senate passed a bill Monday to extend civil rights protections to gay, lesbian and transgender people in the state, despite opposition from business interests.

The bill adds the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to a list of protected characteristics under Iowa's Civil Rights Act. Democrats have long supported expanded protections, and they now control the Senate, the House and the governor's office.

The chamber passed Senate File 427 on a bipartisan 32-17 vote. It moves now to the state House of Representatives, where Iowa Equality board president Sandy Vopalka expects it to have a tougher time.

Read all at link above.

Also go here: Equality Iowa

South Carolina Equality Coalition
March 8, 2007

Non-Discrimination Bills Introduced

Stop Discrimination! No one should lose their job, housing or be denied access to public accommodation because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Senator Robert Ford (D-Charleston) has introduced four non-discrimination bills! Tell your state senator to support these bills. Please take a moment to thank Senator Ford.