O'Malley calls for increased LGBT protections. [View all]

The fight for equality for gays and lesbians is far from over, Democratic presidential hopeful and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a statement Monday calling for increased constitutional protections from discrimination.

While he called Friday’s Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage a “major step forward,” O'Malley cautioned that “our fight for equality continues." O’Malley joined the call for Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which provides protections from workplace discrimination to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

“In a majority of states, gay and lesbian employees can still be denied job opportunities or fired solely based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Twenty-eight states also lack laws banning discrimination in housing,” he said in a statement Monday.
“Passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to expand these protections at the federal level is a necessary next step. We must continue to improve our laws, to more fully protect the rights of every individual — and more fully realize the vision of an open, respectful, and inclusive nation that Friday's decision aspires us to be."

O’Malley lauded Maryland for passing a similar expansion of discrimination laws while he served as governor.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/246472-omalley-calls-for-increased-protections-for-gays-lesbians