Missouri House votes against protection for LGBT staffers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri House lawmakers on Tuesday defeated a proposed rule change aimed at protecting staffers from being fired for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

"Your religious views may say we're going to hell," said Democratic Kansas City Rep. Greg Razer, who is gay and pushed for the change. "But we also have the right to have a job, and that's what this amendment is about. As an employer, the House of Representative will say if you show up and do a good job, you get to keep your job."

Springfield Republican Rep. Curtis Trent raised concerns that adding those protections for LGBT House staffers could infringe on religious liberty, and said the issue shouldn't be decided in an internal rule change.