Bill banning discrimination of gays at work debated

State Senate panel leaves bill pending, citing lack of support.

Retired Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first Purple Heart recipient in the Iraq War, told lawmakers Wednesday that Texas law does not protect his rights because it allows employers to discriminate against him because he is gay.

“I’ve shed blood for this country and there are rights that I don’t have,” Alva told the Senate Committee on Business and Economic Development. “It is time for this state to recognize people for who they are, on their merit, for their leadership, and their professionalism.”

Texas senators Wednesday began formally considering a bill banning workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, DSan Antonio, said her proposal would allow workers to report discrimination to the Texas Workforce Commission for administrative action, but it would not allow workers to file civil lawsuits.

“I look back at this chamber and think about when we treated those that are African American with less than the dignity they deserved,” she said. “Discrimination has no place in our society or workplace.”

But committee Chairman Bob Deuell, RGreenville, left the bill pending, adding later that the measure lacks enough support for committee approval and would face little chance in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Van de Putte said 21 states and the District of Columbia already have similar laws and several cities in Texas, including Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio provide such protections to municipal employees.

Representatives from Christian conservative groups Texas Values and Texas Conservative Coalition registered their opposition to the bill along with the Texas Association of Business and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, but none spoke at the hearing on Wednesday.

Chuck Smith, the executive director for Equality Texas, said 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies already ban such discrimination and Texas should adopt the law to attract businesses that support equal rights.

But Texas’ conservative Republican leadership has been hostile to gay rights. Gov. Rick Perry has compared homosexuality to alcoholism.