DOMA isn't next, ENDA is

[dsc]

We are all thrilled by the end of DADT but let's pause and remember. Gays in majority of states that have a majority of the population, have no employment protections under law. In southern and border states only MD provides protections. In the industrial midwest only IL and WI do. In the Plains and Rocky Mountains only IA, CO, NV, and NM do. Only in costal regions do we have a majority of states protect gays from such discrimination. ENDA needs to be next.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Please remind me...

ENDA means? What do the letters stand for?

[justiceischeap]

2. Employment Non-Discrimination Act (eom)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Thanks!

[JackBeck]

4. Employment Non-Discrimnation Act.

I'm surprised Congress wasn't able to get this done during the last session. The legislation has something like over 200 sponsors and co-sponsors in the House.

I went to Washington and lobbied for passage earlier this year with a transgender group and even Republicans were quietly supportive, but unable to co-sposnsor due to the backlash.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Good for you!

I can hardly believe there are any progressive Republicans...

Wish they could have acted on their convictions.

:hi:

[JackBeck]

6. LoBiondo from South Jersey was one that didn't want to co-sponsor, but was supportive.

The legislation is being held-up over disagreements with language pertaining to the transgender community and bathrooms, of all things.

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Bathrooms? Ya gotta be kidding me!

I know you're not...but that's unbelievable.

Oh well. I hope they will get past that, quickly.

Good to see you!

:hi:

[JackBeck]

8. There's been a lot of legal wrangling over how to provide

proper changing areas and bathrooms where such things are necessary for employment. But the right-wing has been unsuccessfully trying over the years to use the 'transgenders are in your bathroom' as a scare tactic and the fools in Congress continue to give them legitimacy.

Good to see you, too. :)

[vaberella]

9. I'm cool with that. That should be an easy legislation to pass.

Good Lord what am I saying. With Congress nothing is easy.

[dsc]

10. It certainly won't pass in the upcoming Congress

I can't figure out why gay groups chose to go after DADT before ENDA since I think ENDA was the easier get but that is what they chose and now those of us who live in redish states and don't work for corporations which protect us will have to wait a bit longer for protection.

[JackBeck]

12. Don't think we'll hear much about this for the next two years.

Which is a complete shame, given this legislation had the more co-sponsors than any other LGBT legislation and would have impacted more LGBT than DADT.

[nemo137]

11. Bump

Thanks for putting this on the radar.

[stevenleser]

13. K&R, I almost forgot about ENDA...

...regardless of whether it can be passed by the new congress, it should be brought up for a vote so we can see who is who in terms of supporting equal rights.