Lateefah Simon: “We have to make sure that ours is a society that gives opportunity to everyone. I want every page here--I do not care…”

“We have to make sure that ours is a society that gives opportunity to everyone. I want every page here--I do not care what your sexual orientation or race or religion or what your background is--I want you to have every opportunity. I have four grandchildren. I want them to have every opportunity. That is what America is all about, and that is what this legislation is about. We need an education. I still need an education. I am not as fully familiar--in the hearing that we had, I used the phrase ``sexual preference,'' and I was told by leaders of the community they prefer the phrase ``sexual orientation'' because ``preference'' indicates choice. And so I am learning. People were not made by God all the same. Some of us have brown hair, some of us red hair, some of us black hair, some blonde. Some were made with a different sexual orientation than most of us have, and we should not deny them employment opportunities. What happened to that cook in that Cracker Barrel restaurant should not happen to any American. That is what this legislation is all about, and I support it.”