ENDA Hearing Marks a Momentum-Boosting Turning Point
Earlier this week, the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on the recently introduced Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017). This legislation, which now has the bipartisan support of 178 members of the House of Representatives, would prohibit employment discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation (which remains legal in 29 states) and gender identity (which remains legal in 38 states). This patchwork quilt of protections simply will not suffice when it comes to protecting peoples’ basic civil rights. There is a clear and compelling need for a federal ENDA.
If the huge line of people attempting to get into the hearing was any indication, this legislation has certainly generated a lot of interest on the Hill. From the outset, it was apparent just how far the momentum had swung to those who support the passage of this critical legislation. Acting Head of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Stuart Ishimaru, testified on behalf of the Obama administration and stated that —
It is a privilege to represent the Obama Administration and the EEOC at the first hearing this Congress to consider ENDA, to voice the Administration’s strong support for legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. This legislation will provide sorely needed and long overdue federal protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, who unfortunately still face widespread employment discrimination.
Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), one of just three openly gay Members of Congress, spoke with pride about how Wisconsin was the first state, in 1982, to ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. Additionally, in her testimony in support of ENDA, she specifically cited the ACLU’s 2007 report entitled “Working in the Shadows: Ending Employment Discrimination for LGBT Americans.”
With the introduction of the Respect for Marriage Act last week and the ENDA hearing this week, it has been a busy few weeks in Congress for LGBT issues. There is a very strong possibility that the full House of Representatives will soon be voting on ENDA (and then it’s off to the Senate). If you have yet to do so, please contact your representatives and urge them to support this common sense legislation. Fundamental fairness demands nothing less!
Sep 28th, 2009 at 7:15am
How many non discrimination laws do we need? Why is it when 1 is passed then we need another? Don't you already have something similar to this?
Sep 29th, 2009 at 9:35am
EEOC does work more toward the betterment of the economy; it would have been an excellent contribution if they were appointed special investigators to assist the Government Accountability Office at establishing the legislative intent in the federal workplace where many of the employee’s have not been called back to their work after hearings on review of political diversions. These are wage theft and discriminatory matters elongated.
Sep 29th, 2009 at 1:07pm
Maggie, it's how many do WE need. And the answer is no.
Too bad an existing act could not have been modified, but at least a new commission is not needed.
Oct 5th, 2009 at 8:31am
If Same-sex-married couples are discriminated against in matters like car registration, insurance, superannuation and normal economic rights enjoyed by biological man/woman couples, why not do what we have done here in Australia? give ALL couples the same rights but allow same-sex couples to be REGISTERED and man/woman couples to be MARRIED. Same-sex Marriage is NOT recognized in Australia, neither are same-sex marrriages contracted overseas. Biological Man/Woman marraige is the foundation fornormal society and this should NEVER change! We have a Senate inquiry going on at the moment, but the overwhelming view so far, is the one I have stated above.
Nov 20th, 2009 at 12:52am
Argument between our economy had been critical these days. Who doesn't need money now? Living paycheck to paycheck has become the rule, rather than the exception, and it's darn hard to get ahead these days with middle class opportunities drying up more and more. (While suits get richer – but that's a whole other can of worms.) If you need money now, and you're between paydays, you could use credit cards, but there are different options – that are less risky. For instance, you could get cash today with a payday loan – but they're best used as an occasional tool for an occasional situation. There are installment loan options available from payday loan lenders, if youneed money now but need a payment plan to fit your situation better.
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