Christian booktores could be significantly impacted by a new proposed federal legislation that would give special rights for gay employees, according to citizenlink.org, a daily e-mail news service of Focus on the Family Action.

Earlier this month, the U.S. House Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee held a hearing on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which could force evangelical retailers and churches to hire outspoken homosexual employees, citizenlink.org reported. The U.S. House could vote on the bill later this month.

ENDA would prohibit employers from hiring, promotions and firing based on an individual's "actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity," citizenlink.org reported, which singled out Christian booktores as being affected by the proposed law in an e-mail alerting supporters to the move.