Tea Party Senator Pat Toomey (R. PA) voted in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) but former Congressman and decorated Admiral Joe Sestak (D. PA) recently highlighted Toomey's latest comments regarding discrimination against LGBT Americans:
I wanted to forward you an article about Sen. Toomey entitled:
“‘I haven’t given any thought’ to whether hotels should be able to kick out gay people” 1
As a CBS reporter sent out yesterday, prior to speaking before his fellow Tea Party Senator Ted Cruz and Sarah Palin at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, Toomey was asked whether businesses should be able to turn away same-sex couples and replied, "I haven't given that any thought."2 He “...won't say if discriminating against LGBT customers should be legal.”3
This doesn’t come as a surprise. Just this August, Toomey sponsored Rand Paul’s Enumerated Powers Act, which would end the Constitutional basis for anti-discrimination laws.4 He’s even tried to amend the Constitution itself to ban marriage equality5 and said that violent hate acts against LGBT Americans are NOT crimes.6
I fought to overturn "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and am a long-time supporter of marriage equality. I know that Sen. Toomey represents an unacceptable view.
I ask that you please click here to support my campaign to bring leadership to Washington that represents all "the people." Our nation stands for equal rights, and I want to fight for that every day -- for everyone.
https://www.formstack.com/...
Warmly,
Joe Sestak
GOP senator: “I haven’t given any thought” to whether hotels should be able to kick out gay people Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 11:00 AM EST, Josh Eidelson, Salon
Asked Thursday morning whether it should be legal for a hotel to turn away a couple because they’re gay, Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey told Salon, “I haven’t given that any thought.” Salon’s question was one of several asked by reporters as Toomey walked to his car following an address to the Conservative Political Action Conference. As Salon and other outlets attempted to ask follow-up questions, Toomey told the crowd, “Have a nice day. Take care."
The Civil Rights Act bans discrimination in public accommodations (including hotels, restaurants and theaters) on the basis of categories including race, religion and national origin — but not on the basis of sexual orientation. Some municipalities have adopted local ordinances protecting LGBT customers; after such a law passed in Phoenix, the Arizona state Legislature stoked national controversy with a bill that would have effectively expanded the right to refuse someone service on the grounds that serving them would violate religious convictions. Following high-profile outcry, Republican Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed that bill.
1 Eidelson, Josh. "GOP senator: 'I haven’t given any thought' to whether hotels should be able to kick out gay people." 3/6/14.
2 @Lindsey_CBS. 3/6/14, 10:01 AM.
3 Eidelson, Josh. "GOP senator: 'I haven’t given any thought' to whether hotels should be able to kick out gay people." 3/6/14.
4 S. 1404: Enumerated Powers Act. 7/31/13.
5 vote 2004-484.
6 Terkal, Amanda. "GOP Senate Candidate Pat Toomey: No On Hate Crimes Legislation." 9/10/10. Huffington Post.
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