DENVER-
Gay people would be protected from being fired based on their sexual orientation under a bill approved Tuesday by the House.
The measure (Senate Bill 25) now goes back to the Senate for another vote because the House added a clause allowing small religious organizations to give hiring preference to people who support their religious values, if they receive federal funds and don’t make their decision based on sexual orientation.
It passed on a 44-18 vote.
Lawmakers have passed similar bills in the last two years but they both were vetoed by former Republican Gov. Bill Owens. Sponsor Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, said such bills have been introduced periodically since 1975.
The bill adds sexual orientation as well as religion to the list of things employers aren’t allowed to consider when hiring, firing or making promotions. People who are discriminated against on those grounds would be able to file a lawsuit.
