From: Ellen McCormick Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 16:48:48 Subject: CA: AB 257 HEADS TO GOVERNOR'S DESK For Immediate Release Contact: Ellen McCormick, Legislative Advocate LIFE: California's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV/AIDS Lobby (916) 444-0424 LESBIAN/GAY/BISEXUAL CIVIL RIGHTS BILL PASSES STATE SENATE Sacramento - AB 257, proposed legislation to add "sexual orientation" to California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, passed the State Senate today by a vote of 21 - 18. Authored by Assembly Member Antonio Villaraigosa (D - Los Angeles), the bill now moves to the Governor's Desk for a signature or veto. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is the cornerstone of protection from discrimination in housing and employment in California. FEHA currently protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, ethnicity, and physical disability in housing and employment. Historically, AB 257 represents the second time that a bill to prohibit sexual orientation discrimination under the FEHA has been put before the Governor of California. On the first occasion in 1991 Governor Pete Wilson vetoed the measure, AB 101 (Friedman). Under current law gay, lesbian and bisexual people are protected from discrimination in employment under California's Labor Code. AB 257 was brought forward this year to move the principle of protection against sexual orientation discrimination from the Labor Code to the more appropriate Fair Employment and Housing Act. The advantages to moving this protection include increased time to seek remedies for discrimination; posting notice of the discriminatory practices in the workplace; and greater ability to retain a attorney when bringing civil actions. Discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing is currently prohibited by the Unruh Civil Rights Act. This protection is currently carried out by the Fair Employment and Housing Act. AB 257 would not change current law with regard to housing discrimination, but merely reflect the current practice in the letter of the law. AB 257 creates better access to remedies for employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and helps to deter discriminatory practices before they begin. Although Governor Wilson has vetoed similar legislation in the past, letters to the Governor are crucial to be clear: current law is not solving the problem of workplace discrimination against gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Sexual orientation must be reflected in the Fair Employment and Housing Act in order to ensure equal access to protection from discrimination. ### Governor Wilson can be written to at the following address: Governor Pete Wilson State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Final vote count for today's vote on AB 257: AYES - 21 Senators: Alpert, Burton, Calderon, Dills, Greene, Hayden, Hughes, Johnston, Karnette, Kopp, Lee, Lockyer, O'Connell, Polanco, Rosenthal, Schiff, Sher, Solis, Thompson, Vasconcellos, and Watson NOES - 18 Senators: Ayala, Brulte, Costa, Craven, Haynes, Hurtt, Johannessen, Johnson, Kelley, Knight, Leslie, Lewis, McPherson, Monteith, Mountjoy, Peace, Rainey, Wright NOT VOTING - 1 Senator Maddy If you would like a listing of e-mail addresses for State Senators, please write back to this message. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This message has been brought to you by LIFE: California's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV/AIDS Lobby. LIFE has been lobbying on behalf of California's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-affected communities since 1986. LIFE is the oldest and largest institution representing these communities in California's State Capitol and is proud to celebrate over a decade of service. If you would like further information about LIFE activities, events or membership please contact our office at: LIFE: California's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV/AIDS Lobby 926 J Street, Suite 522 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 444-0424 fax (916) 444-3059