Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today the Senate is voting on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act--a bill that I am proud to cosponsor. Americans believe that hard-working people should be rewarded for their efforts and commended for their skills. Yet all throughout our Nation individuals are being held back at work or even fired--not because they are incompetent but because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I firmly believe people should be judged based on their individual skills, competence, and unique talents and nothing else. Sexual orientation does not affect job performance, so it should not be a consideration, and the vast majority of Americans agree. In fact, an overwhelming 73 percent of Marylanders support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would close a significant gap in our civil rights laws. It would ensure that people are judged on the quality of their work, not on sexual orientation or gender identity. Job discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, or religion has long been prohibited; however, it is still legal to hire and fire a person based on their sexual orientation. This is an outrageous practice for a country that prides itself on equal rights for all. Today, when I look back at the civil rights movement of the 1960s, I am shocked by how modest the demands of the African American community actually were.…”