Is Being Gay a Choice Should It Be Protected at Work - Workology

Is Being Gay a Choice Should It Be Protected at Work - Workology Can You Be Fired for Being Gay? Can You Be Fired for Being Gay? I usually am proud to live in the state of Oklahoma.  Its a friendly place filled with great football and wonderful towns and history.  Its a place Ive called my home for the last seven years.  Its a state that I feel safe outside of severe weather and tornados, but today I am ashamed.  Ashamed to be an Oklahoman.  Ashamed because Oklahoma Representative James Lankford said in an interview (video shown above) that being gay shouldnt be protected against workplace discrimination because being gay is a choice. This choice Lankford describes is like deciding on your favorite flavor of ice cream, your decision to be religious, or the decision you might make as an adult to have sex and with whom.  These all are all choices that we, as individuals make in this great country and are free to.  They are our right, and these choices are protected.  These are choices that are protected as part of workplace  discrimination. A bi-partisan  effort is taken place in the Senate for what they are calling the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which would make discrimination against gays in the workplace as well as restriction from clubs and activities illegal.  48% of employees who are gay, arent out in the workplace likely out of fear of being fired, reprimanded, or retaliated against. We All Make Choices but Being Gay is Not One of Them Your choice to eat ice cream.  It is a choice and this choice is sometimes reflected in a medical diagnosis for those who are diagnosed as Type II Diabetic.  As an employer, the law keeps me from terminating you as a result of this diagnosis which sometimes starts with a choice, but sometimes genetics wins over your choice to eat healthy, exercise each day, or avoid sugary foods.  Its still a choice with far reaching consequences and effects. Your choice to practice religion.   Title VII provides employees with the opportunity to be free from religious discrimination at work while also having the opportunity to take time off work to practice our religion.  This choice is a decision not genetic but a right for employees throughout the US. Your choice to have sex.    As a law abiding citizen you have this right to make this decision.  A decision that for me and my husband led to the birth of our daughter.  While pregnant, I am protected against workplace discrimination and entitled to time off work as a new mother according to the FMLA.  It is against the law for me to be fired or disciplined because of that simple fact. Being Gay at Work Should Be a Protected Class Recently, the EEOC announced that transgender employees  are protected from discrimination at work.  But according to Representative Lankford, a choice like this should not be protected.  Because it is in fact a choice.  I dont often sit on my soapbox much here on Blogging4Jobs, but if you have followed the blog over the last several years you would know my familys story.  Everyone deserves to feel comfortable, safe, and happy at work free from worry about being judged or treated different when all they want is to earn a living and do their work which is why I believe that employees who are gay should be protected from idiots like Lankford if only at work. I whole-heartedly support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.  Dont employees deserve a workplace free of distraction, discrimination, and retaliation regardless of their sexual preferences just like religion?  Im making a choice to support making discrimination against gays illegal in the workplace.  Whats your stance? Añadir a la guía de conversación No hay listas de palabras para Inglés - Español Crear una nueva lista de palabras Copiar