StarTribune.com – By Nina Petersen-perlman, Star Tribune
Bills aim to extend federal protection from hate crimes, and workplace discrimination to GLBT people, but some leaders don’t want transgenders included.
Proposals some call the most sweeping gay rights protections ever on the national level have divided Minnesota’s congressional delegation and fueled debate over free speech, religious liberty and basic tolerance.
Two separate bills working their way through Congress would add gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people to the groups that federal law protects from hate crimes and workplace bias.