I'm working in Oregon where they are passing anti gay discrimination laws. Are only gays covered by anti discrimination laws? Are straights baned from these laws because of their sexual orentation? Can I say I'm gay so I can get the equal treatment under the law? Who could prove differently?
If 'The Advocate' has 80% of their staff as gays, then can it be argued that they discriminate against people because of their orentation? Should they be forced limit gay employment to around 20%, to better match the population of the community?
How would anyone know you're gay? If you tell people your sexual preference, then isn't that harrassment since you're creating an unconfortable workplace by discussing your sex life?
The law sounds like a good idea that can't work.
2007-03-22 16:51:32 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
You are confusing anti-discrimination laws with affirmative action laws. And as an anti-discrimination law, they have worked in many jurisdictions across the Western world.
The anti-discrimination laws say that you cannot take sexual orientation into account for employment, housing, or public accommodations (restaurants and hotels). This means that ALL people (Gay or Straight) are afforded equal treatment as it regards sexual orientation.
The Advocate may NOT discriminate based on sexual orientation either, although for some positions the publishers may require the employee be familiar with gay culture. This may lead them to hire more gay people in those positions, but this is knowledge based, not based on sexual orientation, so that the job may be performed optimally. Again, there is no where in the country where affirmative action or hiring quotas are in place for sexual orientation.
In most instances, the gay discrimination arises to prevent straight people from firing you or kicking you out of your apartment if they find out you are gay.
This also prevents potential for blackmail. (E.g.: "I can get you fired by telling your boss you're gay unless you pay me $100/week." If the boss CANNOT fire you for being gay, then you cannot be blackmailed.) Therefore, it can NEVER legally be a requirement to disclose your sexual orientation. In the Advocate example, however, it may be necessary to demonstrate knowledge of gay culture for a particular job.
2007-03-22 17:21:42 · answer #1 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My wife left me for another woman, these laws will help her.
2007-03-23 00:26:52 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 7⤊ 1⤋