DOVER, Del. (AP) — A bill that died in a Delaware Senate committee last year has been resurrected in the state House in a renewed effort to prohibit discrimination in Delaware based on sexual orientation.

Unlike last year, Gov. Ruth Ann Minner is in the forefront of advocates working for passage of House Bill 99, which barely cleared the House by a 21-20 margin last year, then died in the Senate.

“Thank you for your perseverance. Thank you for your hard work,” Minner told about 80 people who rallied at Legislative Hall on May 15. “It will pay off in the end.”

“Our willingness to allow people to live as they choose is embodied in the most sacred documents in our nation, and it is high time that, when it comes to sexual orientation, that ideal is written into the Delaware Code as well,” the governor said.

The proposed legislation adds sexual orientation, “whether real or perceived,” to age, race and other factors that cannot be used to discriminate against people in employment, housing, public accommodations, insurance or public works contracting.

The bill exempts religious groups and does not require employers to offer health care or other benefits to partners of gay and lesbian employees.

“It has absolutely nothing to do ... with giving particular groups special rights,” chief sponsor William Oberle Jr. (R-Newark) told supporters. “It has everything to do with ensuring that you have the same rights as everyone else.”

Oberle said he would not bring the bill out of the Labor Committee on which he sits until he is certain he has enough support for a successful floor vote. The stakes are too high, he said, to “roll the dice.”

“You don’t play politics with people’s lives,” he said.

But Sen. Robert Venables (D-Laurel) said he doesn’t think this year’s measure will pass the House.

“I really hope we don’t have to deal with it,” said Venables, who was criticized by activists last year for keeping the bill locked up in his Senate Small Business Committee.

Venables said Minner is making a mistake in supporting the bill, which he believes is part of a nationwide effort to require public schools to teach that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle.

Last year, the National Education Association planned to consider a resolution supporting the development of curriculum and instructional materials for GLBT students, and the creation of programs that address problems among those students. Among other things, it would have encouraged programs for all students highlighting the heritage, culture and history of gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The resolution was dropped at the recommendation of the NEA’s Gay and Lesbian Caucus, and officials of the nation’s largest teachers union instead approved formation of a task force to explore the issue.

“Its the agenda, the national agenda,” Venables warned. “... You come gradual.”

Rep. Peter Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth) said his agenda is to wipe out hate and discrimination.

“The fact that there is opposition to this bill shows there is a need for this bill,” he said.

Supporters of the bill include the American Civil Liberties Union, League of Women Voters, NAACP, YWCA of New Castle County, and Children and Families First.