Human Rights

Click Here for Shays Equality Facts

 

Christopher believes everyone deserves equal opportunities and protections, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation and has led Congress in passing several critical pieces of legislation to ensure these basic rights.

 

He is one of the authors of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which forbids employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.  Americans share a strong sense that one’s contributions to our society should only be limited by ability regardless of race, religion, national origin, physical disability or sexual orientation. ENDA will provide working Americans who happen to be gay or lesbian with the opportunity to prove themselves on the basis of their talents and abilities.

 

Christopher is a lead cosponsor of hate crimes legislation, which would make crimes perpetrated based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability of the victim federal crimes.  Violence based on prejudice is a matter of national concern that federal prosecutors should be empowered to punish if the states are unable or unwilling to do so.

 

Christopher is also working to repeal the flawed Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in the military and replace it with legislation specifically prohibiting the military from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation.  Particularly as our military is stretched around the globe, what should matter is a person's conduct in service to their country, not his or her sexual orientation.  Christopher disagrees with the rationale of Pentagon officials who believe allowing gay Americans to serve our country would be bad for morale and he is hopeful we will soon be successful in overturning this flawed policy.

 

Christopher also has an office policy not to discriminate based on sexual orientation.  My staff members' sexual orientation is no business of mine, and is irrelevant to their ability to perform the job.

 

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