Marco Rubio Thinks It Should Be Legal to Fire Gays

photo courtesy of NY Daily News

The GOP golden boy and thirst quenching senator from Florida tells Think Progress he’s ok with people being fired for being gay.  During an interview after a Faith and Freedom luncheon today, TP’s Scott Keyes asked if the senator Supported the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) that should be introduced later this summer.  The Act would make workplace discrimination illegal across the country.  Currently, 29 states do not have protections for gay, lesbian and bisexual employees, and 34 states do not have protections for transgendered workers.  ENDA would enforce a federal standard across all 50 states.

Senator Rubio responded that he has yet to read the legislation and that, “By and large I think all Americans should be protected but I’m not for any special protections based on orientation.”

Well Mr. Rubio, I like what Julian Bond, former NAACP chairman says on the subject:

“Gay and lesbian rights are not “special rights” in any way. It isn’t “special” to be free from discrimination – it is an ordinary, universal entitlement of citizenship. The right not to be discriminated against is a common-place claim we can expect to enjoy under our laws and our founding document, the Constitution. That many had to struggle to gain these rights makes them precious – it does not make them special, and it does not reserve them only for me or restrict them from others.”

Mr. Rubio should stop pandering to the ultra conservatives – they are fighting a losing battle, and with each passing month, as poll after poll show support for LGBT rights growing, he and his ilk will stand out as the bigots they are.