Democrats push through 2 anti-discrimination bills, 1 fails

By Cy Ryan

Monday, April 25, 2011 | 1:03 p.m.

CARSON CITY – Senate Democrats have pushed through two bills to outlaw discrimination against transsexuals in housing and public accommodations.

But a third bill to expand the state's hate crimes law to include transsexuals failed Monday by one vote.

Senate Bill 331 would prohibit discrimination in hotels, restaurants and other public facilities. Sen. Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, and Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, said the Nevada Resort Association also supports the bill, which goes to the Assembly.

Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, noted a report that there are 15 million gay adults in the country with an average income of $82,000. The bill would protect the basic rights of those individuals in Nevada, he said.

The vote was 11-10 with all Republicans voting against the measure.

Also approved was Senate Bill 368, which would prohibit discrimination in housing because of sexual orientation. Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, said the bill also applies to renting and eviction based on a person’s sexual preference.

It wouldn't apply to the owner of three or fewer units, he said.

But Sen. Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City, said the bill “goes too far.” The bill would prohibit “expressions” and Hardy said this has “broad implications.”

The vote on the bill was 13-8 with Senate Minority Leader Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, and Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, joining the Democrats.

Defeated was Senate Bill 180, which would have provided increased penalties for attacks on transsexuals. It also would have permitted a person injured in a crime to bring a civil action against the assailant.

Parks said the bill is aimed at preventing a “bias motivational crime.” He said Gov. Brian Sandoval was a co-sponsor of “hate crime” legislation when he was in the Assembly.

The vote was 10-11 with Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas, joining Republicans to defeat the bill.