Support Growing for Employment Non-Discrimination Act
Feature Story by Becky Dansky - 6/29/2001
Currently, there is no federal law protecting individuals from job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Qualified, hardworking Americans can be denied job opportunities, fired or otherwise be discriminated against just because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation.The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, providing basic protection to ensure fairness in the workplace for Americans who are currently denied equal protection under the law. ENDA does not create "special rights." The bill explicitly prohibits preferential treatment and quotas. In addition, it exempts small businesses, religious organizations and the military, and does not require benefits to the same sex partners of employees.
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was first introduced in the 103rd Congress on June 23, 1994. On July 29, 1994, the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee held the first congressional hearing on expanding civil rights protections to address sexual orientation discrimination. The same committee held an additional hearing on October 23, 1997.
ENDA received its first floor vote in the 104th Congress, when it was narrowly defeated by a 50-49 vote in the Senate. Civil rights advocates' ability to force a vote on the issue - along with the narrowness of its defeat - marked an historic moment in the fight for equal opportunity for all Americans.
ENDA was re-introduced in the 105th and 106th Congresses with only minor technical differences and with growing bipartisan support. Senators James Jeffords (I-VT) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) were the lead sponsors in the Senate, and Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) were the lead sponsors in the House. Despite tremendous bipartisan support, (173 cosponsors in the House and 36 cosponsors in the Senate), ENDA did not come up for a vote in the 106th Congress.
There is widespread bipartisan support for ENDA. Increasingly major corporations are adopting non-discrimination policies. Throughout the country similar initiatives are being considered at the state level. Public support for ENDA has also increased. A recent Gallup poll (June 4, 2001) indicates that 85% of the American public thinks that gays and lesbians deserve equal rights in employment.
Reports indicate that ENDA will be introduced in the 107th Congress some time this summer. Civil rights groups are already working with members of Congress to increase support for the bill in the hopes of passage this year.
