Homosexuality and bisexuality

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Ending job discrimination based on
sexual orientation & gender identity

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ENDA bills:

Various federal Employment Non-Discrimination Acts (ENDA) have been proposed between the mid-1970's until 2009 to end discrimination against employees on the basis of their sexual orientation. The scope of the proposed bill in 2007 was temporarily expanded to include gender identity. The 2009 bill, so far, includes gender identity.

ENDA is basically an extension of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that made discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion,  gender or national origin illegal in certain limited cases. Since 1964, other laws have been passed to cover discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, age, and disability. ₁

If passed into law, ENDA would protect most American worker equally, in two additional ways:

	On the basis of their sexual orientation, whether they are heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, or gay.
	On the basis of their gender identity, whether they be cis-gendered, transgendered or transsexual.

The bill would not cover companies with fewer than 15 employees, religious institutions, or the Armed Forces.

In excess of 80% of American adults favor employment protection on the basis of sexual orientation. Even in the South, where support is weakest, a majority of adults are in favor. Essentially all of the opposition to ENDA comes from fundamentalist and other evangelical Christians, and conservative wings of other religions.

As of 2009-NOV:

	Currently, 12 states have lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) - inclusive nondiscrimination protection
	These state laws covering almost 40 percent of Americans.
	More than 100 localities have similar bylaws in place.
	More than 150 companies on Fortune Magazines list of top 500 companies have enacted nondiscrimination policies protecting LGBT workers.
	However: In 38 states, a worker can be fired on the basis of their gender identity. 2 In 29 states, a worker can be fired on the basis of their sexual orientation. 3

Senate hearings on the ENDA bill are being held during the first week of 2009-NOV.

Topics in this section:

	Background: Quotes, Past types of oppression, Definitions
	Overview: Are ENDA laws needed? State laws enacted
	Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA):   An early ENDA bill (1995)   Public opinion polls on prohibiting discrimination based on: Sexual orientation: 1995 to 2001 Gender identity: 2001 to 2008   Opposition to ENDA bills (1990s); ENDA developments (1997 to 2002)   Employment discrimination against transgendered persons   2007 ENDA bill: HR 2015 Background of the ENDA bill Progress of the ENDA bill Support for ENDA. including public opinion polls Opposition and misinformation about ENDA   2009 ENDA bill: HR 3017 << Currently active Basic information about the bill ENDA bill reintroduced in the House Review, bill introduced, status, hearing, testimony More testimony ENDA bill reintroduced in the Senate Support and opposition to the ENDA bill
	Other developments: 1998 Presidential action; Year 2000 Lexington KY case.

Reference used:

1. "Civil Rights Act of 1964," Wikipedia, as modified on 2009-AUG-05, at: http://en.wikipedia.org/
2. "Inclusive ENDA Introduced! Urge Your Senators to Support Crucial Legislation," Transgender Legal Defense & Education fund, 2009-AUG, at: http://www.transgenderlegal.org/
3. "ENDA is heating up - act now," Email, The Task Force Action Fund, 2009-NOV-03.

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