Kerry-Santorum co-sponser the Workplace Religion Freedom Act---WTF??? [View All]

[Gloria]

http://www.washblade.com/2005/3-25/news/national/aclu.cfm

ACLU says Dems too eager on religious bill
Civil rights groups say measure would harm gay workers

By EARTHA MELZER
Friday, March 25, 2005

U.S. senators Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) have introduced a bill that would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require employers to do more to accommodate religious employees.

Kerry and other supporters — including gay-friendly U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), a possible Democratic presidential candidate in 2008 — have characterized the Workplace Religion Freedom Act as a bill that would protect people from being penalized for taking time off to observe religious holidays or from being discriminated against for wearing turbans, headscarves or other religiously required clothing.

Christopher Labonte, legislative director at the Human Rights Campaign, said many religious groups support the bill, including organizations such as the Religious Action Center and the Anti-Defamation League, which have been longtime allies on gay and lesbian rights issues.

Labonte said that though the bill was apparently created with good intentions, the way it is written could cause harm to gay people.

HRC outlined its objections about WRFA in a letter March 15 to members of Congress:

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