Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC)

Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC)

After assuring ThinkProgress that he “respects everyone” and “loves people,” Pittenger said he believes companies should have the right to fire or refuse to hire someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. “You need to respect the autonomy of somebody running their business,” he said. “It’s like smoking bans. Do you ban smoking or do people have the right to private property? I think people have the right to private property. In public spaces, absolutely, we can have smoking bans. But we don’t want to micromanage people’s lives and businesses. If you have a business, do you want the government to come in and tell you you need to hire somebody? Why should government be there to impose on the freedoms we enjoy?”

Rep. Robert Pittenger thinks it would be terrible, just terrible , if the law prohibited employers from firing people for being gay. Kind of like how smoking bans are terrible:Just as we should enjoy the freedom to smoke, we should enjoy the freedom to fire LGBT people, or refuse to hire them, due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Just because someone is the most qualified for the job and the only reason not to hire them is that you are a bigot doesn't mean the federal government should impose laws for equality and against discrimination on the cherished freedoms you are busy enjoying, amiright?

In addition to his horrific position on this issue, Pittenger also showed off some sterling ignorance, telling ThinkProgress "I believe people are already protected." In reality, in North Carolina (along with 28 other states), LGBT people are absolutely not protected under the law and can be legally fired simply because the boss is a bigot.

While Pittenger's logic and language may stand out, his opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is in step with Republican leadership in the House; Speaker John Boehner has refused to even allow a vote on the bill.