Workplace Discrimination: The Real Issue

The Wisconsin State Journal wrote an op-ed today suggesting federal passage of the federal Employment non-Discrimination Act. The bill, sponsored by Madison’s very own Tammy Baldwin, would ban discrimination based on sexual preference.

Some thoughts…

*The elephant in the room is the usage of the word ‘sexual preference’ v. ‘sexual orientation.’ If someone has been pre-oriented toward a particular choice or lifestyle, it’s completely unfair for you or me to discriminate against said choice. Words are powerful things, and the homosexual community knows that.

Personally, I feel that preference is necessarily broad, given what we know with certitude about homosexual relations, and therefore the appropriate word to use.

*It is, though, an important discussion to have, because in time it may be considered inappropriate at best, or even hateful at worst, to use the term “sexual preference.” Verbal offense is a two-way street – speaker’s intent and hearer’s perception – but the former has to trump the latter.

*I don’t believe that homosexual acts are a choice, per se. When someone eats an entire Hershey bar, it wasn’t exactly a choice, either. Nature has indicated to us that neither are particularly good for our health, particularly beyond moderation. (Hence, we can argue that both defy natural law). That the act is not often done so via conscious choice does not prove orientation or determinism or some other biological element, necessarily.

*I’m not surprised that 90% of employers maintain anti-discrimination practices at present. I would argue that 90% would qualify as a solid market penetration, thus making the law important only on paper.

*While I have certain reservations and questions, I really want to love all kinds of lovers, gay straight bi whatever.
*If I were a company boss/decision-maker, I would absolutely enact my own anti-discrimination package that would include a homosexual provision. While I probably wouldn’t coordinate an investigation into my suppliers and other companies for whom mine would be a customer, I would seek alternatives if it were found that said companies didn’t have a similar practice.