Legislature told Nevada needs a law to protect gays in the workplace

Kiley Russell

Thursday, March 11, 1999 | 9:39 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Nevada's only openly gay state lawmaker is pushing a bill to prevent job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation - but the proposal is drawing fire from conservatives.

"This bill forbids employer discrimination based on sexual discrimination for homosexuals, heterosexuals and bisexuals - nothing more and nothing less," Assemblyman David Parks, D-Las Vegas, told the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee on Wednesday.

AB311 would expand the existing law that prevents on-the-job discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

"Workplace discrimination is especially egregious," Parks said. "To deprive anyone of employment is to deny them sustenance."

Parks said that in his case he began working with computers for the city of Las Vegas in 1971 and later moved to the city manager's office - but his job was eliminated because of rumors that he was dying of AIDS.

Responding to a question by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, Parks also said there have been cases of heterosexuals being fired from jobs because gay employers "wanted an entire staff of gay employees."

"You have the opportunity to expand protection to everyone in the workplace without regard to their sexual orientation," he told lawmakers.

Parks' bill was criticized by members of conservative groups from around the state.

"This law ensures that employers can no longer take into consideration their most deeply held beliefs when making hiring and firing decisions," said Janine Hansen, president of the Nevada Eagle Forum, a conservative lobbying group.

"It deals with sexual practices and none of us should be asking each other what our sexual practices are, nor do we need special rights to protect them," she said, adding that the bill is part of the "world expansion of homosexual influence."

Hansen's son, Zachary Triggs, a 20-year-old Boy Scout leader, told the committee that the bill would actually put Scouts in danger.

"(The bill would) allow these sexual predators into our midst 24 hours a day," he told the committee.

The Christian Coalition opposed Parks' legislation on grounds it would ensure that Christians couldn't make "theological statements about the immorality" of homosexuality without facing discipline or dismissal from their jobs.

Representatives from the AFL-CIO, the State of Nevada Employees Association and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department all lined up in support of AB311.

The bill was sent to a subcommittee for minor changes prior to a vote.