Gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said March 30 that he plans to reintroduce the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.
It would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in workplaces that have 15 or more employees.
Similar laws exist in 21 states and Washington, D.C., for sexual orientation and in 13 states and D.C. for gender identity.
Given that last year’s elections handed control of the House to the Republican Party, the bill’s chances of passage are considered slim.
“It’s time that the lawmakers we voted into office pass the fully inclusive ENDA and put an end to this appalling injustice,” said Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “We have to ensure that every member of Congress hears from LGBT people every day about the stress and indignity of not having basic workplace protections. We can’t let a single one of these elected officials off the hook.”
Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart added: “Typically, workplace discrimination is the number one complaint among people seeking assistance from our Legal Help Desk. … ENDA would provide a powerful tool for Lambda Legal to do what it does best: work through the courts to ensure equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people across the country.”
Assistance: Bill Kelley