Illinois now bans sexual orientation discrimination; broader implications beyond the state?

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on Friday signed gay rights legislation adding "sexual orientation" to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA).

The IHRA now protects against discrimination in employment and other areas based on:

[A]ctual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or gender-related identity, whether or not traditionally associated with the person's designated sex at birth.

"Sexual orientation" does not include a physical or
sexual attraction to a minor by an adult.

Note the inclusion of those who think (or wish) they are men though biologically female and vice versa (transgender and transvestite) and presumably those who have had sex-change surgery (transsexual).

Here's a story from the Springfield, Illinois State Journal-Register:

"Governor gives approval to gay rights legislation" (by MIKE RAMSEY)

Here, for those (like me), who prefer to read the actual text of the laws, is the law as enacted, with the underlining showing the amended portions of the previously existing IHRA.

Obviously, Illinois employers need to take heed and amend policies, handbooks, and training to comply.

Broader implications beyond Illinois (Ignoring all the political-religious gay marriage etc. brouhaha)?

Many other states and localities have such laws; so similar compliance must be undertaken if operations are located in such places. Don't waste anyone's breath debating the morality, etc. IT'S THE LAW!

Some facts and figures from the website Out In America:"NATIONAL REPORT SHOWS IMPROVED GAY DISCRIMINATION LAWS"

- With Illinois adopting a law banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, nearly 138 million Americans now live in a state or local jurisdiction with such a law.

- Another 79 million live in a place that bans discrimination against transgender people. Ten years ago, only 9.7 million Americans lived in a jurisdiction that banned such discrimination.

- However, 156 million Americans, or 53 percent of the U.S. population, live in a state or jurisdiction where one can be fired, refused service in a restaurant, or denied housing or a loan simply because of his/her actual or perceived sexual orientation.

- 215 million Americans, or 73 percent of the U.S. population, live in a jurisdiction where a person can be fired, refused service in a restaurant, or denied housing or a loan simply because of his/her actual or perceived gender identity or expression.

- Fifteen states (including Illinois) ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The first state to ban anti-gay discrimination was 1982 in Wisconsin.

- Five states (including Illinois) ban discrimination based on gender identity and expression. The first state to ban anti-transgender discrimination was Minnesota in 1993.

- Washington, D.C. and more than 200 towns, cities and counties also ban sexual orientation discrimination, and more than 70 local jurisdictions ban anti-transgender discrimination.

Full text of the report is available here.