Political Quotes

“Madam President, I have come to the floor to give my views on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act--better known as ENDA-- because this is essentially a bill with a long history. It means a great deal to me personally because of the work I did in the city and county of San Francisco a long time ago. Actually, nearly 40 years ago, in 1978, I was in my third term as president of the board of supervisors when an ordinance to prohibit discrimination in both housing and employment on the basis of sexual orientation was actually passed by the board. I think it was a vote of 10 to 1. I introduced the legislation in my first few years as president of the board, and it was the first such legislation introduced in a major city anywhere in the United States. It was difficult to pass. There was a long debate. I look back on the press and it was a 2-hour debate, but it did pass back in 1978. It is true that I at the time had some concerns. So I have watched the legislation implemented over the last four decades. It has protected people's jobs and livelihoods from unfair treatment. It has been good for people and for business. I had some concerns. Would there be a lot of objections? Actually, in the time I was a supervisor and in the 9 years I was mayor, there were no objections. All of a sudden the city really came to see what equality meant.…”