'No one should be fired simply for who they are,' said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - Hawaii's Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a bill this week that would have added protections based on gender identity and expression to the state's employment discrimination law. Despite passing the bill by large margins, the Legislature took no action to override the veto.

"No one should be fired simply for who they are," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Employment protections increase business productivity and ensure that employees are evaluated on their work, not their gender identity."

The governor did sign into law a bill prohibiting discrimination in housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

"By allowing housing discrimination protections to become law, Governor Lingle recognizes that discrimination is bad for Hawaii," said Solmonese. "She should follow her constituents, the Legislature and businesses who know workplace protections are just as critical."

Ten states protect against workplace discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity and expression and six additional states have sexual orientation-based protections.

"The American people don't care whether the person who cures cancer or saves them from a fire is transgender or gay," said Solmonese.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.