Tag: ENDA

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NOM’s Brian Brown says ENDA will lead to “frivolous” things like keeping your job

NOM’s Brian Brown is RILLY RILLY mad about ENDA

Writing on the National Organization for Marriage (which always strikes me as ironic since they are mainly AGAINST certain people getting married), Brian Brown writes about his deep disappointment that the US Senate passed ENDA this week trying to protect the gays from discrimination at work:

“We are very disappointed by the Senate’s passage of this bill. While protecting people against discrimination is a very important goal, this legislation is problematic because of its broad and unclear definitions. Concepts like ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ are too vague to be a basis for such a law which could lead to individuals facing reprisals or even criminal action simply for expressing their values in the workplace.

“We are grateful for Speaker Boehner’s leadership in the House on this issue. He understands the kinds of frivolous lawsuits and bullying through litigation that could come about as the result of such a measure.”

“Frivolous lawsuits?”  I guess, if keeping your job is considered “frivolous.”

Speaking of keeping your job, Brian – it looks like yours may be coming to an end with all these states passing marriage equality all over the place…

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President Obama applauds passage of ENDA in US Senate

President Obama applauds passage of Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the US Senate

“Today’s victory is a tribute to all those who fought for this progress ever since a similar bill was introduced after the Stonewall riots more than three decades ago. In particular, I thank Majority Leader Reid, Chairman Harkin, Senators Merkley and Collins for their leadership, and Senator Kirk for speaking so eloquently in support of this legislation. Now it’s up to the House of Representatives.

“This bill has the overwhelming support of the American people, including a majority of Republican voters, as well as many corporations, small businesses and faith communities. They recognize that our country will be more just and more prosperous when we harness the God-given talents of every individual.

“One party in one house of Congress should not stand in the way of millions of Americans who want to go to work each day and simply be judged by the job they do. Now is the time to end this kind of discrimination in the workplace, not enable it. I urge the House Republican leadership to bring this bill to the floor for a vote and send it to my desk so I can sign it into law. On that day, our nation will take another historic step toward fulfilling the founding ideals that define us as Americans.” – President Obama, via press release.

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ENDA passes in US Senate 64-32

Via HRC press release: Today, the U.S. Senate voted 64 to 32 to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) for the first time in the legislation’s two-decade history. All Senate Democrats joined 10 Senate Republicans to approve the bill.

Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin issued the following statement:

“Today, a strong bipartisan majority of the United States Senate made history by standing up for a fundamental American truth. Each and every American worker should be judged based on the work they do, and never based on who they are. This broad Senate coalition has sent a vital message that civil rights legislation should never be tied up by partisan political games.

“We firmly believe that if the House of Representative were freed by Speaker John Boehner to vote its conscience, this bill could pass immediately. It’s unconscionable that any one person would stand in the way of this crucial piece of the civil rights puzzle.”

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BREAKING: US Senate approves Employment Non-Discrimination Act 64-33 in initial vote

From Advocate:

A bipartisan coalition of 64 senators voted to move ENDA forward, clearing the way for an affirmative final vote, expected to occur around 1:45 p.m. Eastern today. 33 Republican Senators cast “no” votes against the bill.

All 55 Senate Democrats voted to move the bill forward, as did nine Republicans, including a surprise “aye” vote from Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania introduced an amendment that would broaden the scope of religious exemptions, but it was voted down 55-43.

Speaker of the House John Boehner has already announced he will NOT bring the bill to a vote in the House.

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Sen. Pat Toomey explains his ‘yes’ vote on ENDA

ToomeyPat Toomey’s (R-PA) ‘yes’ vote on yesterday’s ENDA cloture vote was a bit of a happy surprise for me and perhaps other who closely follow the legislation.  Toomey took to his Facebook last night to explain his vote:

“I have long believed that more legal protections are appropriate to prevent employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. That is why I supported a provision in the Allentown charter barring the city government from discriminating against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation some 17 years ago, in 1996. More recently, it’s also why I supported allowing gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons to serve openly in the military.

“So I believe the Employment Non-Discrimination Act contains very important provisions. However, I also believe it should be improved, especially as it pertains to religious organizations. We must strive to reach the appropriate balance between protecting workers and protecting religious freedom. I voted to move forward with debate on ENDA with the hope that the Senate will take up amendments – including one that I plan to offer – to address this important aspect of the proposed law.”

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Employment Non-Discriminatino Act gets 61 votes for cloture in US Senate

Proud of my two senators from Nevada, Harry Reid and Dean Heller,  for voting for ENDA.

And thanks to all the senators who voted on the right side of history!

From Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed:

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which has been pending in Congress over the past 20 years, could, in its current form, ban sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination in most workplaces.

An earlier version of the legislation that only included sexual orientation protections was voted on in 1996, but it failed 49-50. There has been no Senate vote on the legislation since then.

UPDATE: Sen. Tammy Baldwin, the first and only LGBT out senator, talks about ENDA’s cloture vote.

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Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada to support Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada

Republican Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada announces his support for ENDA, becoming the 60th vote for passage of the legislation in the US Senate.

From Raw Story:

On Monday, Democrats found their 60th vote when Heller announced that he would also be backing the bill.

“After listening to Nevadans’ concerns about this issue from a variety of viewpoints and after numerous conversations with my colleagues, I feel that supporting this legislation is the right thing to do,” Heller said in a statement. “Under the leadership of this Governor, as well as the legislature over the past several years, Nevada has established a solid foundation of anti-discrimination laws.”

“This legislation raises the federal standards to match what we have come to expect in Nevada, which is that discrimination must not be tolerated under any circumstance,” he added.

A few other GOP Senators may join in now. Word is Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio (who has an openly gay son) may vote for the bill as well later today.

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President Obama: ENDA ought to be the law of the land

President Obama pens an op-ed for Huffington Post in support of ENDA

President Obama has written an op-ed published on Huffington Post in support of ENDA.  Here’s an excerpt:

Here in the United States, we’re united by a fundamental principle: we’re all created equal and every single American deserves to be treated equally in the eyes of the law. We believe that no matter who you are, if you work hard and play by the rules, you deserve the chance to follow your dreams and pursue your happiness. That’s America’s promise.

That’s why, for instance, Americans can’t be fired from their jobs just because of the color of their skin or for being Christian or Jewish or a woman or an individual with a disability. That kind of discrimination has no place in our nation. And yet, right now, in 2013, in many states a person can be fired simply for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

As a result, millions of LGBT Americans go to work every day fearing that, without any warning, they could lose their jobs — not because of anything they’ve done, but simply because of who they are.

It’s offensive. It’s wrong. And it needs to stop, because in the United States of America, who you are and who you love should never be a fireable offense.

That’s why Congress needs to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, also known as ENDA, which would provide strong federal protections against discrimination, making it explicitly illegal to fire someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This bill has strong bipartisan support and the support of a vast majority of Americans. It ought to be the law of the land.

Read the full essay on Huffington Post.

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Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims pens open letter to Sen. Pat Toomey urging support for ENDA

Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims

Brian Sims, openly gay state House Rep. in Pennsylvania, has written an open letter to US Senator Toomey (R-PA) asking for his support on the upcoming vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Touching on many issues, here’s just an excerpt of the letter:

Standing up for all Americans, and against discrimination and injustice, is fundamental to who we are as a nation. While we all continue to grapple with issues of faith, morality, family and government, what is clear is that we are a people who believe in giving everyone a fair shot and a fair shake. Our laws have been incomplete, and as a result, millions of our friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers have been allowed to fall through the cracks. You have a tremendous opportunity on the horizon to fix this mistake, and to proclaim your support for a more equal nation.

Senator, I not only urge you as an openly gay man, but also as a fellow lawmaker and Pennsylvanian to vote in favor of ENDA when the legislation comes up for a vote next week, but I encourage you in the strongest terms possible to state right now, unequivocally, that you will be a co-sponsor of the bill as well.

Despite our political differences, I have always agreed with your steadfast commitment to job creation and increasing economic opportunities for the state. I also know you to be a man of respect and integrity and while I know that the fringe opposition to equality may be a difficult burden to bear at times, the citizens of Pennsylvania are clear in their overwhelming support for these types of basic, commonsense protections.

Read the entire letter here.

And – check out where YOUR senator stands on ENDA. And if they haven’t expressed support yet, click here to find their number and call to let them know this is an important bill that needs their support.