wfn.org | Board supports end to workplace discrimination against homosexuals

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 30, 1999	News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.    10-21-28-71B{360}

By United Methodist News Service

The United Methodist Board of Church and Society has again thrown its
support behind a bill that would grant all persons, regardless of sexual
orientation, federal protection from workplace discrimination.

An Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA) was supported by the board when
it was first introduced in 1997, but many lawmakers in Congress felt the
measure did not have the support of the religious community, according to
the Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, staff executive of the Washington-based
board.

Urging the Congress to pass a new Employment Non-discrimination Act
introduced last week, Fassett said, "In reality, most mainline Protestant
denominations support this legislation."

The new act would not apply to religious groups, armed services or to
companies with less than 15 persons.

"We support this legislation because it is a matter of simple justice,"
Fassett said in a June 29 statement. "Gay or lesbian persons -- or persons
perceived to be homosexual -- are often unjustly fired or denied job
opportunities due to their sexual orientation."

The legislation does not attempt to make one accept homosexuality or to
change minds on the issue, according to Fassett. "It would extend to
homosexuals the same civil rights protections in the workplace as are
accorded women, minorities, people with disabilities and religious persons."

Fassett said his statement on the issue is in line with the United Methodist
Church's mandate for the board to "speak its convictions, interpretations,
and concerns to the church and to the world." 

By action of its General Conference, the United Methodist Church officially
affirms that all people should have equal protection under law from
workplace discrimination.  It also supports the rights and liberties for
homosexuals in Paragraph 66H of the Social Principles, which are contained
in the Book of Discipline. The General Conference is the only body that can
speak for the entire denomination.

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A full text of Fassett's statement follows:
 
This is a statement of General Secretary Thom White Wolf Fassett. The
general board is directed to  "speak its convictions, interpretations, and
concerns to the Church and to the world."

With last week's introduction of the Employment Non-discrimination Act
(ENDA) of 1999 in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, the U.S.
Congress will once again wrestle with issues of discrimination in the
workplace. This bipartisan legislation would grant all persons, regardless
of sexual orientation, federal protection from workplace discrimination. The
ENDA would not apply to religious groups, armed services, or to companies
with less than 15 persons.

We support this legislation because it is a matter of simple justice. Gay or
lesbian persons -- or persons perceived to be homosexual -- are often
unjustly fired or denied job opportunities due to their sexual orientation.
The legislation would not make one accept homosexuality. It does not even
attempt to change minds on the issues. It would extend to homosexuals the
same civil rights protections in the workplace as are accorded women,
minorities, people with disabilities, and religious persons.  

The United Methodist Church is committed to supporting the rights and
liberties for homosexual persons. The Social Principles, the denomination's
official policy doctrine, states that all persons should have equal
protection under law from workplace discrimination. The U.S. government has
a moral obligation to pursue laws that are consistent with this policy. 

The General Board of Church and Society supported ENDA when the bill was
first introduced in 1997 and will be forthright in advocating for an end to
blatant discrimination against lesbian and gay persons. In 1997, many
lawmakers in Congress felt that the religious community did not support
ENDA. In reality, most mainline Protestant denominations support this
legislation. We urge Congress to swiftly pass the Employment
Non-discrimination Act of 1999. 
*  *  *
Only General Conference speaks for the entire denomination.  The General
Board of Church and Society is the international public policy and social
action agency of The United Methodist Church.
                
 

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United Methodist News Service
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