Trans-Inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act Introduced in Senate

by Michael Jones · 2009-08-05 10:19:00 UTC
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U.S. Senate

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley gets the honor of introducing the first-ever trans-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in the U.S. Senate. He did so today, with bipartisan support from Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.  The bill, if passed by Congress, would prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  Here's what Sen. Merkley had to say in an official press release sent from his office:

There is no place in the workplace for employment discrimination.  No worker in America should be fired or denied a job based on who they are.  Discrimination is wrong, period.  I'm proud to join Senator Kennedy, who is a civil rights legend, and Senators Collins and Snowe, both champions for equality, in taking this next step in our ongoing effort to create a more perfect union and guarantee every American, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, the right to earn a living.

This Senate version joins a version already introduced in the U.S. House in June 2009.  It's introduction today in the U.S. Senate was roundly celebrated by LGBT orgs.  Rea Carey of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said, "People recognize that our nation as a whole benefits when everyone is allowed to contribute their talents and skills, free from discrimination, which is all ENDA seeks to do."

President Obama pledged his support for ENDA while on the campaign trail last year.  Hearings on the bill won't happen for another few months, but this is yet another welcome sign that legislative issues pertaining to LGBT rights are finding traction throughout both chambers of Congress.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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