State Gay Rights Bill May Miss Legislative Deadline

A bill prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual preference is racing against the calendar, according to Massachusetts Gay Political Caucus lobbyist Arlina Isaacson.

A week ago, the state senate sent the bill to the Supreme Judicial Court to settle a dispute over the wording. If the court does not render an opinion on the bill soon, allowing a vote on the matter before the end of this year's legislative session, it will not pass.

"The way it [the bill] reads, it provides extra potections rather than equality for gays," said State Sen. Dennis L. McKenna in recommending sending the bill for a judicial review.

"If a regular person applies for a job and is turned down for personal reasons, he has no recourse. If he is gay, he will have to be hired if the bill passes," said Roger Grant, legislative aide to McKenna, explaining the senator's position.

An aide to Sen. Royal L. Bolling Sr., the chief supporter of the bill in the State House, said. "The point in question is the term 'sexual preference,' which some people fear may include certain criminal acts."

To amend the ambiguous term. Bolling introduced a bill on November 2 to change the term "sexual preference" to "sexual orientation for heterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality."

The bill's sponsor in the House, Rep. Thomas J. Vallely, has offered a similar bill to be considered by the House.