Alabama Discrimination Bill Denied

MONTGOMERY, Ala (AP) – An Alabama House committee cancelled a vote on a bill that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The delay on Wednesday in the House Judiciary Committee essentially kills a bill that would have protected individuals from discrimination in areas including employment and housing.

Republican state Rep. David Faulkner asked the committee to cancel the bill’s vote because of what he described as constitutional law concerns.

The bill’s sponsor, Democratic state Rep. Christopher England, said Alabama should protect people from discrimination based on their gender or sexual identity.

Democratic state Rep. Patricia Todd, who is gay, said employment discrimination exists and she’s glad lawmakers are beginning to address it.

Attorney Eric Johnston said the bill would have discriminated against members of religious groups that oppose homosexuality.