Ending job discrimination based on
sexual orientation & gender identity
Sponsored link.
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.
"Inclusive ENDA Introduced! Urge Your Senators to Support Crucial
Legislation," Transgender Legal Defense & Education fund, 2009-AUG, at:
http://www.transgenderlegal.org/
"ENDA is heating up - act now," Email, The Task Force Action Fund,
2009-NOV-03.