The House of Representatives the week passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R.3685), which prohibits employment discrimination against an individual on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation. This is landmark legislation that advances the core values that America stands for and it’s long overdue.

I’m also glad to see that David Dreier (CA-26) voted for the legislation, after many years of voting against equal rights for gay and lesbians. I hope this represents a permanent change in Mr. Dreier’s views and not simply an election-year tactic to move toward the center.

Congressman Dreier has had an extensive anti-gay voting record, having voted against the Hate Crimes Prevention Acts of 1997, 2005 and 2007, and having supported legislation that allowed federally funded charities to discriminate against gays and lesbians.  He also voted for the Marriage Protection Act in 2004, which would not only have prohibited gay couples from marrying but also stripped the judicial branch of it’s essential authority to review the law.

I hope that this week’s vote marks a turning point in the long campaign by Congressman Dreier and the Republican Right to deny gay and lesbian citizens their inalienable rights.
For my part, I will continue to fight for full civil rights for all Americans, including those who happen to be gay.  And I will press Mr. Dreier to do the same.

Hoyt Hilsman
Democrat for Congress (CA-26)