Inclusive ENDA Introduced in Senate for First Time

Today a bipartisan group of Senators introduced an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) – a historic first for the U.S. Senate.  The bill with lead sponsors Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) would create federal protections against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Said HRC President Joe Solmonese:

“The introduction of an inclusive employment non-discrimination bill in the U.S. Senate is an important and historic step in ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. No American, and that includes LGBT Americans, should have to worry about their livelihood being taken away from them simply for being who they are.   The overwhelming majority of the American people are in favor of this legislation and now is the time for our community to visit their representatives in Congress to let them know we need this passed into law.”

Senators also weighed in:

Sen. Merkley:
“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.”

Sen. Kennedy:
“The promise of America will never be fulfilled as long as justice is denied to even one among us. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act brings us closer to fulfilling that promise for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens.  I’m proud to join Senators Merkley and Collins in introducing this important legislation.”

Sen. Collins:
“Similar to the current law in several states, including Maine, and the policies of many Fortune 500 companies, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would close an important gap in federal civil rights laws by making it illegal to discriminate in employment. I am pleased to join Senators Merkley, Kennedy and Snowe in introducing this important legislation which affirms the principle that individuals should be judged on their skills and abilities, and not by who they are.”

And this from HRC Business Council Member Meghan Stabler:

“Today is a historic day; the first time that an Inclusive ENDA (covering Sexual Orientation AND Gender Identity) has been introduced into the Senate chamber. I know that all of us in the Transgender community applaud the Senate sponsors for taking the lead to provide workplace discrimination protections for all. However, this is only the first step and now we must continue our focus on education and telling of our personal stories to every legislator in the hopes of passing this bill to move it to the President’s desk for signature.”

Today, HRC launched a nationwide email action alert targeted specifically towards garnering support for the ENDA bill introduced today in the Senate.  Members and supporters can go to www.PassENDANow.org to email their U.S. Senator and express their support for this fully-inclusive ENDA legislation.

Also, last week, HRC launched a national, grassroots campaign called “No Excuses” to demand action from Congress on key issues of equality, including ENDA.  Designed to take advantage of the congressional summer recess, when members are in their local offices and meeting with constituents, “No Excuses” will mobilize HRC’s 750,000 members and their allies to meet directly with lawmakers and push for federal legislative change.  Members and supporters can get involved by visiting: http://noexcuses.hrc.org.

Other original co-sponsors of ENDA include Assistant Majority Leader Richard Durbin, Senators Daniel Akaka (HI), Jeff Bingaman (NM), Barbara Boxer (CA), Sherrod Brown (OH), Roland Burris (IL), Maria Cantwell (WA), Ben Cardin (MD), Bob Casey (PA), Chris Dodd (CT), Russ Feingold (WI), Dianne Feinstein (CA), Al Franken (MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Tom Harkin (IA), Daniel Inouye (HI), John Kerry (MA), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Herb Kohl (WI), Frank Lautenberg (NJ), Patrick Leahy (VT), Carl Levin (MI), Joe Lieberman (CT), Robert Menendez (NJ), Barbara Mikulski (MD), Patty Murray (WA), Jack Reed (RI), Bernie Sanders (VT), Chuck Schumer (NY), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Arlen Specter (PA), Mark Udall (CO), Tom Udall (NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and Ron Wyden (OR).