<% IssueDate = "11/26/02" IssueCategory = "World" %>

World GOP Senator is Pushing Anti-Gay Bias with Taxpayers' Funds Compiled by GayToday Washington, D.C.-- Comments by Republican Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and recorded in yesterday's Washington Post have elicited an expression of deep concern by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Santorum is quoted as saying that he supports a provision that would allow faith-based groups that receive federal funding for community service programs to discriminate against gays and lesbians in hiring -- even in cases where local and state non-discrimination laws are already in place. "I will make that stand," said Santorum. "Senator Santorum is not only suggesting that the federal government help fund discrimination against gays and lesbians with tax dollars, but his support for such a provision would also override state and local non-discrimination laws across the country," said HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg. Republican Senate leader Rick Santorum: Would allow religious groups to discriminate against gays and lesbians Santorum's comments are in contrast to his remarks last year on faith-based initiatives legislation, in which he said that he did not want to include a provision that would pre-empt state and local civil rights laws in legislation he drafted with Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Democrat-Connecticut. In a letter sent early yesterday, HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch asked Santorum to clarify his views on the issue. "While we may not see eye to eye on every issue affecting the gay and lesbian community, we hope that you will remain consistent in your belief that this federal legislation should not pre-empt state and local civil rights laws," Birch wrote. To date, HRC has not opposed religious exemptions for hiring laws, as long as the groups and organizations are not using federal money. For example, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, federal legislation that would protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in hiring, includes language from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that exempts religious organizations and permits them to favor members of their own religion. "Generally speaking, Americans are in favor of equality and fair-mindedness. It is totally inappropriate to consider funding discrimination with public money," said Stachelberg. "HRC is eager to work with allies in both parties to support fairness in funding and hiring for all Americans, including the gay and lesbian community."

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