Senate OKs bill to outlaw discrimination against gays

CARSON CITY -- The Senate voted 19-2 today for a bill that would outlaw discrimination against gays and lesbians in places of public accommodations, such as hotels and restaurants.

Under the provisions of Senate Bill 207 the Nevada Equal Rights Commission would be required to investigate complaints filed by people who said they were discriminated against because of their "sexual orientation."

Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, said it has been against the state's "public policy" since 2005 to discriminate on the basis of one's sexual orientation, but that policy did not make it illegal to discriminate against them.

Sen. Maurice Washington, a Republican African-American minister from Sparks, and Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, cast the only no votes.

With Senate passage, the bill now goes to the Assembly for hearings

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.