No this isn’t about the Immigration battle waging in the States.

Tuesday saw another bill introduced, where it would become illegal to discriminate against Homosexuals in the workplace. Now that might not seem like much, but its a step forwards to actually allowing homosexuals to share in the Great American Dream.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee based on the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. (see Story)

When I saw that headline, I had to take a double take. I mean I never thought that in 2007 the United States would still have no federal law covering discrimination against Gays on the job. I just naively assumed such a law already existed, which goes to show you. Never assume. I have to check, but am fairly certain that our Federal Laws were altered several years ago to include sexual orientation as being unlawful for grounds to fire, or not hire, and that also included housing. Not sure though, but it does raise an interesting point.

If not, why not?

Then too, I have to ask. Why hasn’t the various gay groups in the States been addressing this issue more vocally? I mean it is important, and perhaps just as important as getting included for protection under the Hate Laws. Seems to me, that one way to help end the abuse, is to make it illegal in all places. It sends a stronger message when blatant discrimination in the workplace, or in housing, is prevented.

It is this type of State vs Federal that is at the crux of many of the problems. Without a strong Federal Government, you can have 50 varieties of laws that go from one extreme to the other. Take discrimination. In California it could be legal to fire someone who is gay, while in Nevada it isn’t. So what about the poor shmuck that moves from Nevada to California? He gets discriminated against, simply because of geography? I mean he is a citizen of the country, irrespective of where he lives, so why shouldn’t the same freedoms exist across the country?

Perhaps it is for this simple obstacle, that Gay Rights are such a battle. It should be National, not State by State and yet, it seems that there is where the focus goes. To each State, that simply makes no sense. Without strong Federalism, is it a wonder that Education is not working? That there is no Universal National Health?