Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
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On November 7, despite opposition from the LGBT community House Leadership brought to the floor a new version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that does not include gender identity. The bill passed by a vote of 235-184, with 7 progressive Democratic allies voting no to show support for consideration of a trans inclusive version of the bill.
This bill would not only deny protections to transgender people, but also fail to protect lesbian, gay and bisexual people who do not conform to other people’s expectations (such as “effeminate” men and “masculine” women). House action resulted in an unprecedented outpouring of anger and frustration from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community — including a statement signed by more than 350 leading organizations who oppose this strategy.
It is unclear if the Senate will take up the House passed version this Congress. Regardless, the LGBT community and the Task Force will continue to work for passage of a fully inclusive ENDA that protects our entire community.
In November the House approved a version of ENDA that does not include gender identity. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community worked tirelessly to add prevent the stripping of gender identity protections from the bill. It is critical that Congress hear from each of us, urging passage of a fully inclusive version of the bill.
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and here to learn how to contact your senators.
Use the message below to let your representative know how you feel.
Subject: Support a Fully Inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act
As your constituent, I urge you to support ENDA, the first federal bill to provide necessary protection against employment discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workers. ENDA would extend fair employment practices to LGBT employees by making it illegal to discriminate, refuse to hire or fire them based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Every American worker deserves to be able to work to support their families and contribute to the economic life of our nation and be judged solely on their merits. Yet it remains legal in 30 states to fire or refuse to hire someone simply because of his or her sexual orientation; in 40 states it is legal to do so based on his or her gender identity. A federal bill that would finally end this injustice is long overdue.
The LGBT community is one community and the community wants to move forward together with one unified bill. As you have heard over the last year, the majority of the LGBT community, myself included, opposes moving forward with a sexual orientation-only bill. As a constituent I urge you to take a leadership role in congressional passage of a full inclusive ENDA.
