From San juan - Gay activist seeks support for job discrimination ban
Gay activist seeks support for job discrimination ban
By Eva Llorens
Copyright by The San Juan Star
During a visit to the Capitol Monday, gay activist Pedro Julio
Serrano was promised by Senate President Kenneth McClintock that he
would file a "bill by petition" banning discrimination against gays,
lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders in the workplace; however,
House Speaker Jose Aponte did not meet with Serrano.
Serrano did meet with Aponte aide Paco Valiente who assured him that
the House leader will file the proposed bill under his name as long
as it also includes dispositions on discrimination against the
handicapped and based on ethnicity.
Valentin added that Aponte did not meet with personally with Serrano
because he was presiding over the session. However, The STAR
observed House Majority Leader Lourdes Ramos presiding it.
"I feel he stood us up because he knew about this since last week,"
Serrano said, adding that he went to the Capitol seeking support for
two bills.
The first would ban discrimination against gay and transgender
individuals and the second would allow gays to unite in domestic
partnerships.
McClintock said in a press release that the matter related to
domestic parternships was being handled by the joint legislative
committee revising the Civil Code.
The STAR last year published that the new Family chapter of the
Civil COde will establish domestic partnerships to allow unmarried
couples to have some rights given to married couples.
While Serrano said McClintock promised to file his bill by petition,
he is not obligated to support it.
Senate Rule 19 states that senators can file legislation by petition
of citizens or groups. The fact that a bill is filed by petition is
stated on the document.
The Senate leader, however, said he has an open door policy to all
sectors of society.
Serrano said he was pleased by his meeting with McClintock.
Regarding Aponte, he said Valentin wanted the inclusion of the
disposition that would ban discrimination based on ethnic
considerations and the handicapped to ensure it would obtain support
because "otherwise it would ot get it."
By Eva Llorens
Copyright by The San Juan Star
During a visit to the Capitol Monday, gay activist Pedro Julio
Serrano was promised by Senate President Kenneth McClintock that he
would file a "bill by petition" banning discrimination against gays,
lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders in the workplace; however,
House Speaker Jose Aponte did not meet with Serrano.
Serrano did meet with Aponte aide Paco Valiente who assured him that
the House leader will file the proposed bill under his name as long
as it also includes dispositions on discrimination against the
handicapped and based on ethnicity.
Valentin added that Aponte did not meet with personally with Serrano
because he was presiding over the session. However, The STAR
observed House Majority Leader Lourdes Ramos presiding it.
"I feel he stood us up because he knew about this since last week,"
Serrano said, adding that he went to the Capitol seeking support for
two bills.
The first would ban discrimination against gay and transgender
individuals and the second would allow gays to unite in domestic
partnerships.
McClintock said in a press release that the matter related to
domestic parternships was being handled by the joint legislative
committee revising the Civil Code.
The STAR last year published that the new Family chapter of the
Civil COde will establish domestic partnerships to allow unmarried
couples to have some rights given to married couples.
While Serrano said McClintock promised to file his bill by petition,
he is not obligated to support it.
Senate Rule 19 states that senators can file legislation by petition
of citizens or groups. The fact that a bill is filed by petition is
stated on the document.
The Senate leader, however, said he has an open door policy to all
sectors of society.
Serrano said he was pleased by his meeting with McClintock.
Regarding Aponte, he said Valentin wanted the inclusion of the
disposition that would ban discrimination based on ethnic
considerations and the handicapped to ensure it would obtain support
because "otherwise it would ot get it."
posted by Carlos T Mock at 8:26 AM
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