Thanks!

In many states (including Utah, where I live) a woman who paid her rent on time for five years and was a “model tenant” can be evicted from her rental home simply because the owner learned she is lesbian–no other reason need be given. It’s completely legal for the landlord to say, “I’m evicting you because you’re homosexual.” (And yes, it does happen).

In many states a gay man can be fired from his job, despite an exemplary work record, simply because of his sexual orientation–no other reason need be given. Completely legal. Is that fair and just?

With regard to your statement that “It is simply not possible to pass a law that will make people behave righteously,” I beg to differ.

If laws don’t influence behavior, why is murder illegal? Drunk driving? Burglary? Only for punishment, no deterrent rationale? I think not. Outlawing unjust behavior does make people behave differently.

Taking employment and housing discrimination as but two examples, consider that in the recent past, people of color, people with disabilities, women, and people over age 65 were all evicted or fired (or not hired) because of their differences. Because of equal opportunity legislation, it is much less common for people in those groups to be discriminated against. Therefore, I would disagree that laws don’t influence behavior; they affect our decisions almost every day.

Perhaps, my naivete stems from simply not being aware. But I don’t understand what is left to legislate in terms of civil rights for any group. It is simply not possible to pass a law that will make people behave righteously.