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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Despite Criticism, Rep Says Discrimination Bill Won't Come Up 'Short'

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Monday, April 28, 2008   

Denver, CO - A bill that would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation in certain circumstances in Colorado won't be short-changed. SB200 became a point of contention in the Senate after one lawmaker proposed an amendment to expand protections to "short people," arguing that Coloradans are just as likely to be discriminated against for their stature as for their sexual preference or gender identity.

But Denver Representative Joel Judd says civil rights laws, such as the one outlined in SB200, only come about when there's a real need for them.

"They don't come out of thin air. Where they come from is real-life discrimination,in cases where people's lives have been terribly affected."

The bill would ban discrimination because of sexual orientation in housing and places of public accommodation, including hotels and restaurants. Mindy Barton, legal director for the GLBT Center of Colorado, also works with Equal Rights Colorado. She says she still gets plenty of calls from Coloradans who have experienced discrimination firsthand.

"People are still denied service, say, in going to a restaurant, and specifically being told, 'We're not going to serve you. We don't serve your kind.'"

Judd believes civil rights laws for race and gender have helped change public attitudes about racism and sexism, and now, he says, the same step needs to be taken for sexual orientation and gender identity.

"Over time, I think the same thing is going to happen -- but we're not there yet."

The Judiciary Committee will consider SB200 on Tuesday.



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