As a gay man, I support prohibiting discrimination
Every day, millions of working people have no legal protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and can be denied employment for reasons unrelated to their level of skills or abilities for a particular job.
In a society that values diversity & treating all people with respect, as a gay man I find this unacceptable and that is why I support federal legislation that would prohibit discrimination in employment practices because of a person’s sexual orientation
Source: Campaign website, www.polisforcongress.com, “Issues”
Nov 4, 2008
As a gay man, I support prohibiting discrimination
or gender identify. This is not only about workers’ rights--it’s about human rights and human dignity. I believe in tolerance and understanding and strongly oppose employment discrimination on the basis of race, age, disability, gender, gender
identity, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation.
Millions of Americans can’t enjoy the legal protections of marriage because of their orientation. I believe that two committed adults of the same sex should be able to enjoy full marriage rights.
Source:
Nov 4, 2008
ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays.
Polis signed H.R.3017&S.1584
Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity by covered entities (employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, or joint labor-management committees). Prohibits preferential treatment or quotas. Allows only disparate treatment claims. Prohibits related retaliation.
Makes this Act inapplicable to:
religious organizations; and
the relationship between the United States and members of the Armed Forces.
Source: Employment Non-Discrimination Act 09-HR3017 on Jun 24, 2009
Give domestic partnership benefits to Federal employees.
Polis signed Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act
A federal employee who has a same-sex domestic partner and the domestic partner of the employee shall be entitled to benefits available to, and shall be subject to obligations imposed upon, a married employee and the spouse of the employee. In order to obtain benefits and assume obligations under this Act, an employee shall file an affidavit of eligibility certifying that the employee and the domestic partner of the employee:
are each other's sole domestic partner and intend to remain so indefinitely;
have a common residence, and intend to continue the arrangement;
are at least
18 years of age and mentally competent to consent to contract;
share responsibility for a significant measure of each other's common welfare and financial obligations
are not married to or domestic partners with anyone else;
are same sex domestic partners, and not related in a way that, if the two were of opposite sex, would prohibit legal marriage in the State in which they reside; and
understand that willful falsification of information within the affidavit may lead to disciplinary action and the recovery of the cost of benefits received related to such falsification and may constitute a criminal violation.An employee or domestic partner of an employee who obtains benefits under this Act shall file a statement of dissolution of the domestic partnership not later than 30 days after the death of the employee or the domestic partner or the date of dissolution of the domestic partnership.
Polis signed Recognizing the 40th anniversary of Stonewall
Whereas the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City, was a bar primarily patronized by a diverse cross-section of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community;
Whereas at around 1:20 a.m. on June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, closing the bar and forcing patrons outside;
Whereas such raids were among the many ways in which government harassed and discriminated against members of the LGBT community during this period, which included, for example, prohibiting dancing with a person of the same sex, terminating one's employment, and using entrapment to arrest people;
Whereas thousands returned to the Stonewall Inn on the nights of June 28 and July 2, 1969, to express their support of basic freedoms, equality, and fair treatment for LGBT Americans, chanting such slogans as 'Gay Power', and 'Equality For Homosexuals';
Whereas the series of protests, often referred to as 'Stonewall', marked a watershed event in which
LGBT Americans dramatically showed a growing determination to publicly resist government discrimination and harassment;
Whereas Stonewall sparked a remarkable increase in activism and action by LGBT Americans across the country to advocate for equal rights;
Whereas inspired by Stonewall, LGBT pride parades and festivals occur in cities across the country and the world every June;
Whereas a great deal of progress has been made in achieving equal rights for LGBT Americans since Stonewall occurred 40 years ago, but much work remains to be done:
Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
recognizes the 40th anniversary of Stonewall;
honors those who participated during Stonewall and since that time in the civil rights struggle of LGBT Americans; and
recommits itself to protecting and providing equal rights for all Americans, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
