Medina's co-workers tormented him because he was gay, but the Appeals Court said this doesn't justify a civil rights action, because gay is not a protected class such as race, creed or gender. Gender has only recently been protected. I am not old but I remember things like separate employment listings for male and female.

The anti-discrimination laws are an achievement for humanity; they highlight our progress as civilized people. We still have more work to do. First there was consciousness-raising, then there were laws. There was nothing inevitable about the laws; it took a lot of work.

The Republicans are retarding progress in this area. It's always the Republicans! If they had their way they'd go back to help wanted male and help wanted female. As things stand, Republicans are the party committed to preserving homophobia.

Become a Democrat! Ours is the party of genuine inclusion. We don't run pageants or minstrel shows, and we won't cheat you out of your vote.