Tulsa city council adds sexual orientation as a protected class

[Red Arrow]

Did they actually tell you that was the reason?

The job was manual labor at the company my father worked for.  Cutting grass, painting equipment, cleaning the building, etc.  It and several others like it were set up with the intention of making a job available for children of employees going to college.  I told my boss at the end of the preceding summer that I wanted to come back the next summer.  Late in the spring, when it was time to look for summer jobs, my father told me he had been told that I could not have the job I held for the previous two summers because they had to hire a black person.

So, the short answer is yes.

[Red Arrow]

I feel the same about you.

Doesn't surprise me.

[Red Arrow]

Funny, because you belong to several protected classes.

I am going to make some big assumptions here, so forgive me if I am wrong but.....

You are male, heterosexual, middle aged, and religious.

ALL of those are 'protected classes'.

Welcome to the club.

I am male, white, heterosexual (but single), approaching retirement age and haven't been to church except weddings, funerals, and a tour of the building in more than 50 years (not religious).

Male is not protected in the sense of the legislation we have discussed.  There have been advantages but not by legislation.
White,  see affirmative action.  Very much unprotected.
Single: He's single, we can give him extra unpaid duty, he has no family obligations.  Send him out of town even though he had other plans, no problem, he's single.
Over 55, somewhat protected from being fired by over age 55 laws.  Try to find a new job though.  Over qualified and over age.

Edit: moved end of quote command

[azbadpuppy]

I am male, white, heterosexual (but single), approaching retirement age and haven't been to church except weddings, funerals, and a tour of the building in more than 50 years (not religious).

Male is not protected in the sense of the legislation we have discussed.  There have been advantages but not by legislation.
White,  see affirmative action.  Very much unprotected.
Single: He's single, we can give him extra unpaid duty, he has no family obligations.  Send him out of town even though he had other plans, no problem, he's single.
Over 55, somewhat protected from being fired by over age 55 laws.  Try to find a new job though.  Over qualified and over age.

"The expansion adds sexual orientation to a list of protected classes that already includes race, sex, religion, ancestry, age and disability."

So yes, your sex is a protected class, be it male or female.

Race (all of them, even white) is protected.

Age is definitely protected.

And now, your heterosexuality is protected. I'll bet you are thrilled.


So is it just that you do not approve specifically of sexual orientations being protected? Should there be any protections at all? Should employers be able to unfairly fire you based on any number of biases? Why shouldn't one's sexual preference be included, if there has been a proven history of unfair bias against people with different orientations? What does it hurt you?

Whether you like it or not, you are included and protected under these laws too.

[guido911]

I will defend anyone who is discriminated against for being who they are.

Can we recognize individuals as a protected class? 

As an employer, do you mean if this showed up to work I should not be able to fire him/her if I detest tattoos/piercings?

[azbadpuppy]

As an employer, do you mean if this showed up to work I should not be able to fire him/her if I detest tattoos/piercings?

Wow that's pretty.


Employers have the right to dictate dress/appearance while on the job.

[Red Arrow]

"The expansion adds sexual orientation to a list of protected classes that already includes race, sex, religion, ancestry, age and disability."

So yes, your sex is a protected class, be it male or female.

Race (all of them, even white) is protected.

Age is definitely protected.

And now, your heterosexuality is protected. I'll bet you are thrilled.


So is it just that you do not approve specifically of sexual orientations being protected? Should there be any protections at all? Should employers be able to unfairly fire you based on any number of biases? Why shouldn't one's sexual preference be included, if there has been a proven history of unfair bias against people with different orientations? What does it hurt you?

Whether you like it or not, you are included and protected under these laws too.

You got what you wanted with protection for sexual orientation but ridicule me about hair color.  Ever been the butt of hair color jokes?  Better dead than have a red head. Beat him like a red headed step child. (No, I am not a step child.)  I suppose I could have colored my hair but that would be the equivalent of you having to act straight.  It would have been harder to hide the freckles that usually go with red hair.  (Actually, I have not lived my life as a victim because of these type jokes.)

Where does it end?

If it ended with equal protection for all, I would be agreeable. It always seems to end up with a preference for the protected group over the original, admittedly often  advantaged by default/tradition, in order to get even.

What about events like Miss ethnic or racial group other than white western European "beauty" pagents?  Maybe they allow whites but I doubt it.
The Negro College Fund?  Do they provide funds to qualified whites, asians, or Native Americans? 

[Red Arrow]

And now, your heterosexuality is protected. I'll bet you are thrilled.

Sure am. 

I've always wanted to be a bartender in a gay bar.  (Not really)
I don't think I'd make too much in tips dressed as a Hooter's waiter.  Are they now not allowed to not hire me? (Don't really want to work there either.)

[Red Arrow]

Wow that's pretty.

Employers have the right to dictate dress/appearance while on the job.

Wanting to look like that cannot be by choice, in my opinion.  Must be something he was born to like or possibly a cultural thing.  I am thinking of some body modifications that "we civilized folks" don't appreciate from some "primitive" groups.  Why should an employer have the right to make him suppress his desire to look good?

FWIW,  I don't believe anyone should be discriminated against in places like the workplace because of their sexual orientation.  I just don't see making a law for every group that is or perceives themselves as victims to be the answer.

[azbadpuppy]

I've always wanted to be a bartender in a gay bar.  (Not really)

LOL. FWIW, many, many bartenders in gay bars are straight. They know where the money is.

[Red Arrow]

LOL. FWIW, many, many bartenders in gay bars are straight. They know where the money is.

Wouldn't surprise me.  Just not what I want to do.  It's nice to know that I couldn't be not hired because I'm straight.

[Gaspar]

So yes, your sex is a protected class, be it male or female.

Race (all of them, even white) is protected.

Age is definitely protected.

And now, your heterosexuality is protected. I'll bet you are thrilled.

Sounds like everything's protected.  Great!

How about shoe size?  Can I be fired if my feet are too big?  Do we need to establish some protection for that?

How about ugly?  Can I be fired or demoted for uglyness? 

[Red Arrow]

How about shoe size?  Can I be fired if my feet are too big?  Do we need to establish some protection for that?
How about ugly?  Can I be fired or demoted for uglyness? 

Shoe size should definately be cause for being fired.  If your feet were normal size when you were hired and are now too big (excluding teens), you probably have a dangerous medical condition and need to be isolated for life.

Ugly.  If you weren't ugly when you were hired, what happended?  Traffic accident?  Other terrible tragedy?  Only beautiful people have the right to a job.


Just kidding.

[Gaspar]

Ugly.  If you weren't ugly when you were hired, what happended?  Traffic accident?  Other terrible tragedy?  Only beautiful people have the right to a job.

They were drunk when they hired me.  I always look better after a few.

[Conan71]

As an employer, do you mean if this showed up to work I should not be able to fire him/her if I detest tattoos/piercings?

A human tackle box.  Great to have along on a fishing trip.