Why Did More Senate Republicans Vote For ENDA (Gay Rights) Than Ever Before?
What's in it for them?
The tide is turning and statistically only Repubs representing the far right electorate wants to go backwards.
They know the House of Representatives won't pass it so they can show they aren't bigoted against gays while being sure that one can still be fired for being gay.
Their staff are all Cabinettes.
The tide is turning. Republicans/Baggers in the House are safe because of gerrymandering. Their constituents demand hate. But wining elections in an entire state is much more difficult. So Senators see the writing on the bathroom stall.
Exactly what R5 said. The writing is on the wall for gay rights issues, it is becoming harder and harder to be antigay in this country. Some Republicans realize this.
The House though, thanks to gerrymandering they don't have to deal with a slice of real world America. They will keep hating gay people.
The real question, OP, is why do most Republicans still oppose gay equality?
I think the gay community should now focus on pressuring the administration to enact portions of this through executive order given that this will never pass the House.
Repug Senators will pay for their support. Doesn't make a lick of sense.