Dems look to protect LGBT jurors from discrimination

Fifteen House Democrats have proposed legislation that would ensure people cannot be excluded from federal jury service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Juror Non-Discrimination Act, H.R. 312, was proposed by Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.), whose home state already has in place a law that prevents discrimination against jurors based on sexual orientation. Davis said this same protection should be given to all federal jurors around the country.

"Serving on a jury is one of America's most cherished civic duties," she said. "It is unjust to exclude a particular group of people from participating in civil society because of whom they love or what they look like.

"The federal government already prohibits juror discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin and economic status, and as we pursue greater equality for all Americans, I believe LGBT Americans should also be free from juror discrimination."

Her bill would insert into federal law "sexual orientation, [and] gender identity" as additional reasons for which people cannot be excluded from federal juries.

Davis's bill was proposed just days before President Obama delivered his second inaugural address, in which he called for ongoing work to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are afforded equal rights.

"Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well," Obama said Monday.

Davis's bill was introduced with 14 co-sponsors, including freshman Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.).

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