Should Gays Be Fired Based on Sexual Orientation?

The U.S. House Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee held a hearing last week for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The full House could vote on the bill in September, that, if enacted, will prohibit discrimination against employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

A majority of heterosexual adults (60%) were not aware that under current federal law, employers have the right to fire someone identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (GLBT), without equal rights protection. According to a recent Harris poll, an overwhelming 79% of heterosexuals feel that a person's job performance rather than sexual orientation should be the standard for judging employment tenure.

Not everyone agrees with the American heterosexual population, which seems to defend the rights of the GLBT population. In a report by Jennifer Mesko at CitizenLink.com, the president of the Family Research Council, Tony Perkins, fears the new legislation "could put the rights of homosexuals above employers, including some churches." Many faith-based organizations are against ENDA because they will lose their truly faith-based hiring practices.

Co-workers, however, would not be offended to find out they share a cubicle with a GLBT employee. According to the Harris poll, 88% of heterosexuals say they would feel indifferent or feel positive to learn a co-worker is gay, as opposed to 12% who would feel negative. This support has likely contributed to the GLBT employee being more open about their sexual orientation at work:

* In 2007, 54% of GLBT adults are comfortable with a photo of their partner on their work desk, compared to 34% in 2002.

* In 2007, 64% of GLBT adults are comfortable introducing their partner to a co-worker, compared to 50% in 2002.

However, there isn't total social support of the GLBT community just yet. The Harris poll shows:

* 51% of GLBT employees report hearing anti-gay comments at work and 15% say co-workers harass them on the job.