The Employment Non-Discrimination Act Needs Congressional Sponsors
by CLAIRE GRINTON, Contributing Writer
A crucial piece of legislature is on the Senate floor right now that can affect employment practices across the nation. Currently, gay and lesbian individuals can be fired in 29 states for their sexual orientation; transgender individuals can be fired in 39 states. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is a proposed bill that would prohibit discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. It was introduced early this summer to a quiet response, and it is still struggling to get the necessary sponsors to pass it through to the White House.
This, however, isn’t the first time ENDA has struggled to pass through Congress. In fact, some form of ENDA has been introduced to every Congress since 1994 with the exception of the 109th. In 2006, an adapted bill that provided protection to gay and lesbian workers, but not transgendered individuals, passed through the House of Representatives only to lose momentum in the Senate. That’s the furthest ENDA has made since its original introduction in 1994. While the Obama administration has made it clear that passing ENDA is a priority, it must first make its way through the Senate.
Only 12 states and the District of Columbia currently have laws in place to protect the entire LGBT community. It is therefore crucial that this bill gets enough sponsors to continue on to the White House, where it can be made into federal law.
There are a number of different ways you can help make this happen:
• Find out where your state senators stand and call or email them to request their support.
• Sign the Change.org petition to pass ENDA. They are aiming to get 10,000 signatures—add yours today.
• Share this with your friends and make sure ENDA supporters make as many calls, emails to their senators as possible.
Photo by Tony Webster, flickr.
- Posted by Causecast
Related causes: Human Rights
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