Sen. Jeff Merkley plans to Introduce a Federal LGBT Civil Rights Bill

After hearing about hate leaders derailing anti-discrimination bills across the nation, Sen. Jeff Merkley announced that he will introduce a comprehensive LGBT civil rights bill.

Metro Weekly reports

During remarks at the Center for American Progress, the Oregon Democrat said he will spearhead efforts to pass federal legislation that would protect LGBT people in nearly every aspect of American life, including employment, housing, public accommodations, housing and credit.

Merkley said that while the Senate’s passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in November of last year by a 64-32 vote after the bill failed by one vote in 1996 was a “tremendous victory,” if discrimination is wrong in employment, it also must be wrong in areas such as housing, public accommodations and financial transactions.

“Such an act would be a major advance for opportunity and equality for the LGBT community and would be a major stride toward a more just society,” said Merkley, who has been the lead sponsor of ENDA in the Senate since assuming that role from Sen. Ted Kennedy in 2009.

This could end the all of the repeals and haters forcing this issue on the ballot. Hope, it goes through Congress.