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ENDA Passes House of Representatives
November 7, 2007
Today on the House Floor the Employment Non-Discrimination
Act (ENDA) was passed. See the Equality Federation Statement & United ENDA, NGLTF's Statement on this Historic event.
HR 3685 protects
Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals from discrimination in the workplace, but does not protect Transgender
people. The Bill will now move to the Senate to be reviewed by Committee.
Congresswoman Baldwin also introduced an
amendment to include gender identity to HR 3685. She chose a parliamentary movement
to withdraw the amendment in order to protect HR 3685. From a
statement read on the House Floor Baldwin stated, that she submitted the gender identity amendment knowing that it would not be held to a roll call vote. Inspite
of this, she brought it to the floor becasue she feels
that the individuals who will be left without protection:
“…deserve to hear on this House Floor that you are not forgotten and our job will not be finished until
you too can share fully in the American Dream.”
Baldwin committed to do everything
within her ability to gain protection for them in the future.
November 7, 2007
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| SENT ON BEHALF OF UNITED ENDA |
MEDIA CONTACT:
Roberta Sklar
rsklar@theTaskForce.org
(Office) 646.358.1465
(Cell) 917.704.6358 |
November 7, 2007
United ENDA responds to today’s vote; remains committed to passage
of fully-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act
Over the past 5 weeks, the more than 360 organizations that comprise United
ENDA have affirmed with unwavering clarity that we are one community linked by our united support for civil rights protections
for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
In a remarkable flurry of action from coast to coast, from small towns and major cities,
the LGBT community has generated unprecedented contact with legislators and in the process has impacted future conversations
and legislation.
While the passage in the House of Representatives today of this stripped down ENDA is deeply
disappointing, we have seen a tremendous shift in the commitment of a growing number of legislators to only support an inclusive
ENDA in the future when passage in the Senate and the signature of a new President make the enactment of comprehensive employment
protections a possibility.
We remain frustrated and disappointed that an inferior bill was brought to the floor. The
stripping away of gender identity not only abandons transgender people — the most vulnerable within the LGBT community
— it ignores the reality that gender identity and expression are at the root of much anti-gay discrimination.
It is distressing that Representatives were put in the untenable position of either voting
for a bill that is not supported by most of the community it’s supposed to protect, or voting against a bill extending
rights based on sexual orientation alone. We look forward to working with those members who voted yes on ENDA today,
but who support a fully-inclusive bill, to make sure they have an opportunity to vote on a fully-inclusive bill the next time
ENDA comes up for a vote.
Despite the action taken today in the House, the United ENDA coalition continues to expand,
and we intend to harness the passion, grassroots activism and local, state and national organization leadership. Collectively,
we are committed to working with Congress towards the ultimate goal of passing a fully-inclusive ENDA. We also are committed
to working with all the organizations in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, as the LGBT community needs the support
of the entire civil rights community to make certain a fully-inclusive bill is introduced in the next Congress.
–30– |
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (“NGLTF, Inc.”), founded in 1974, works to build the
grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying
to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and
report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc., is a 501(c)(4)
nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc., are not tax-deductible. | |
November 4, 2007
For the 3rd week the ENDA vote in the House of Representatives has been delayed. As information about
ENDA comes in we will post.
October 22-25, 2007
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin's Statement supporting a fully inclusive ENDA. - UPDATE: Baldwin plans to introduce
an amendment to HR 3685 (stripped down version) to add back gender identity (Listen to interview with NPR). It was preferred to pass HR 2015 out of committee, but this amendment will attempt
to repair HR 3685 since it passed out of committee instead.
CBS News on Logo's Jason Bellini interviews NGLTF’s Matt Foreman on why 300 nationwide LGBT organizations
believe a fully inclusive ENDA is needed (see interview).
Bellini also interviewed Congressman Barney Frank on
why Frank is advocating for a stripped ENDA with no transgender protections (see interview).
October 19, 2007
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New
Opportunity to Repair ENDA. New Action Needed!
Over the past three weeks, the collective power of the LGBT and allied
grassroots has been felt in unprecedented ways on Capitol Hill. We have been urging members of Congress to take up the original
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) (H.R. 2015), and drop consideration of the sexual orientation-only ENDA (H.R. 3685).
Although we have not yet gotten what we are asking for — an up-or-down
vote on the original Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 2015) — Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) is now planning
on offering an amendment to add gender identity protections when the bill reaches the House floor next week. The Democratic
majority rarely allows members the chance to amend a bill on the floor — this is only happening because of the amazing,
intense grassroots energy you have directed at Congress over these last few weeks.
While the groups that make up United ENDA remain committed to House consideration
of an inclusive bill, the vote on this amendment is an opportunity to show the broad range of support for a trans-inclusive
bill. That’s why it is so critical that we all work together to make sure we get the strongest vote possible on this
amendment. That way, when this bill is introduced again in 2009, it will be clear that gender identity protections should
be included from the outset.
Bottom Line: Next week, likely Tuesday, the House will be voting
on the Baldwin amendment to add gender identity back into ENDA.
It is critical that you contact your member of Congress in support of the
Baldwin amendment immediately. There are only a few days to win over the necessary “yes” votes
on the amendment.
Call Today!
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 to be connected
to your representative based on your zip code. Here is a suggested message:
Hello, my name is _____ and I live in your district. I am calling to
ask the representative to support the Baldwin amendment to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The Baldwin amendment adds
gender identity protections back into ENDA and it is critically important to me that all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
people are protected by this legislation. This amendment is the only way to fix this bill, and I only support passage of H.R.
3685 if the amendment passes. Thank you.
If you can’t call, send an e-mail by clicking here.
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The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (“NGLTF, Inc.”), founded in 1974, works to build the
grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying
to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and
report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc., is a 501(c)(4)
nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc., are not tax-deductible. | |
October 16, 2007
United ENDA Supports Congresswoman Baldwin’s newly
announced efforts to restore gender identity protections to Employment Non-Discrimination Act
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced today that she has secured an agreement
from the Democratic leadership to introduce an amendment to H.R. 3685 that would restore gender identity protections to the
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The amendment would be considered on the House floor next week, after the
bill moves through the House Education and Labor Committee this Thursday. After her announcement, the United ENDA coalition
released the following statement:
Two weeks ago, our community was told that gender identity would not be included in any version
of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Congressional Leadership expected our community to acquiesce. However,
United ENDA effectively communicated the strong opposition of hundreds of organizations and millions of members of the lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender community to leadership's efforts to advance a stripped down version of the bill.
It is because of our unprecedented efforts that new options, such as the proposed amendment by
Congresswoman Baldwin, are able to come before Congress. Members of Congress responded to the successful strategy of
our coalition and many expressed their strong desire to vote for an inclusive bill that protects all lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender people.
Clearly, our preferred strategy is to pass the original ENDA (H.R. 2015) out of committee. However, if we are
faced with a non-inclusive bill following the committee vote, we will work with Congresswoman Baldwin to repair ENDA to include
protections on the basis of gender identity. We appreciate that Congressional leaders like Congresswoman Baldwin continue
to share our commitment to pass an inclusive bill, and we expect Speaker Pelosi and the House leadership will actively support
the Baldwin
amendment
October 15, 2007
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House
committee meets this week to decide whether or not a version of ENDA that cuts out protections for transgender people will
advance in Congress
Your representative
needs to hear from you TODAY!
The House Education and Labor Committee is holding a special meeting TODAY
to discuss the strategy proposed by some House leaders to pass an Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that cuts out protections
for transgender people. A committee vote on the bill is tentatively scheduled for Thursday.
A list of Committee members is available at http://edlabor.house.gov/about/members.shtml .
Your representative needs to hear from you TODAY about your opposition
to the flawed strategy of advancing a bill that leaves transgender people behind.
Call your representative right now at 202.224.3121, even if you have already
called him/her already about this issue. Tell him/her to oppose advancing H.R. 3685, the bill that leaves transgender people
behind. Tell him/her to push for a vote on H.R. 2015, the transgender-inclusive ENDA, instead.
Click here to send an e-mail to your representative.
Please call AND e-mail today. You have been asked to do a lot in the last
few weeks to support transgender nondiscrimination protections. The action you take today might make the difference.
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The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (“NGLTF, Inc.”), founded in 1974, works to build the
grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying
to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and
report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc., is a 501(c)(4)
nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc., are not tax-deductible. | |
October 11, 2007
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community rallies in unprecedented
numbers in support of transgender-inclusive employment nondiscrimination legislation
“Our
movement is used to fighting to win our rights incrementally, often one at a time. We are not, however, used to — nor
will we allow — having our people protected one at a time. No civil rights movement has ever left a part of its community
behind, and we’re not about to be the first.”
— Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc., today reiterated
its call for a transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force,
Inc.
“The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has come together in an unprecedented
way to press Congress to pass ENDA as introduced this year — an ENDA that includes protections for our entire community.
The nearly 300 organizations comprising this effort — United ENDA — represent nearly 2 million total members and
are the backbone, the breadth and the depth of our community coast to coast. These diverse organizations have come together
to accomplish one thing — to ensure that no part of our community gets left behind.
“Our movement is used to fighting to win our rights incrementally, often one at a time. We are not,
however, used to — nor will we allow — having our people protected one at a time. No civil rights movement has
ever left a part of its community behind, and we’re not about to be the first.
“Our energy remains focused on shoring up the votes to pass the original, inclusive ENDA. Last week,
Speaker Pelosi and Reps. Miller, Frank and Baldwin said we should be using this time to ‘continue (our) discussions
with members in the interest of passing the broadest possible bill.’ We hope and urge Rep. Barney Frank to join with
all of us in doing just that.”
–30– |
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (“NGLTF, Inc.”), founded in 1974, works to build the
grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying
to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and
report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc., is a 501(c)(4)
nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc., are not tax-deductible. | |
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Update on ENDA
Nearly 300 organizations from across the nation unite to press Congress
to secure transgender-inclusive employment nondiscrimination legislation
National, state and local groups representing broad spectrum have sent a letter to
Congress
urging lawmakers to pass an Employment Non-Discrimination Act
that includes gender identity
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 — Nearly 300 organizations from throughout the nation — and
representing the full scope and breadth of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community — have launched
a vigorous and vocal united lobbying and advocacy campaign to win passage of a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination
Act (ENDA), H.R. 2015. Called United ENDA, the campaign builds off the past week’s unprecedented efforts by legal groups,
political organizations, grassroots activists and many others to maintain protections on the basis of gender identity in ENDA
as the measure was originally introduced.
The groups, which include leading legal organizations such as Lambda Legal and faith groups such as the Religious
Coalition for Equality, have signed a joint letter to Congress objecting to a diminished bill that abandons transgender people.
These organizations, in an ever-expanding list, comprise United ENDA. As a result of letter and direct lobbying by staff from
LGBT organizations and constituents, a scheduled House committee hearing on a version of ENDA that strips protections for
transgender people was postponed last week.
United ENDA groups are coordinating lobbying and communicating daily to keep pressure on Congress. In the
past week alone, thousands of constituents have called or sent e-mails to their U.S. representatives urging them to support
a transgender-inclusive ENDA.
Below the listed media resources is additional information, including an update about what United ENDA has
accomplished within the last week.
Media Resources:
Get background on ENDA.
Read the letter to Congress signed by nearly 300 organizations.
Read responses and analysis from leading LGBT legal organizations: joint statement from legal groups and additional analysis from Lambda Legal.
Sample press releases, letters, action alerts and other resources: PDF 1 and PDF 2.
Key Facts about United ENDA:
United ENDA was formed officially on Oct. 3 by the 150 organizations that signed a letter urging Congress
to only support a transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act. There are now 282 organizations that belong to
the United ENDA campaign and the list continues to grow every day.
United ENDA has coordinated a broad campaign to pass the original Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R.
2015) with unified protections for all LGBT people and to oppose any amendment or bill that would leave some in our community
behind.
Nearly every statewide LGBT advocacy organization has joined United ENDA as well as nearly every national
LGBT advocacy organization that lobbies members of Congress. Every national LGBT legal group has joined the campaign.
The combined membership of the United ENDA member organizations is at least 1.7 million. (This number only
reflects membership data from 120 of the 282 member organizations.)
While United ENDA is a campaign of primarily LGBT-specific organizations, United ENDA is helping to coordinate
lobbying strategies with numerous non-LGBT groups that share the goal of passing a trans-inclusive ENDA this Congress,
including USAction and its state affiliates, the Young Democrats of America, and the National Organization for Women.
Key Actions of United ENDA and Member Organizations:
- Coordination of Lobby Efforts
United ENDA helps to coordinate the lobbying efforts of
the member organizations of United ENDA, including Hill meetings, keeping track of who is committing to support the bill,
providing lobby report mechanisms for grassroots lobbyists, and maintaining communication with members of Congress who share
the position of United ENDA.
- Action Alerts
Alerts were sent to members of United ENDA organizations asking them
to call or e-mail members of Congress with the message to support H.R. 2015 and oppose any effort to strip protections for
gender identity from the bill.
- Organizational Coordination
The United ENDA campaign holds daily briefing calls to coordinate
activity. The United ENDA coalition maintains the list of supporting organizations and coordinates the delivery of the updated
letter to members of Congress supporting H.R. 2015 and opposing any amendment or bill that would leave some in our community
behind.
- Faith Organizing
United ENDA member organizations and volunteers have alerted more than
2,000 pro-LGBT congregations and asked their members to take action in support of H.R. 2015, and created flyers for church
bulletins to engage congregants. The National Religious Leadership Roundtable, the Institute for Welcoming Resources and the
Bishops and Elders Council have all organized faith leaders of multiple denominations to weigh in with their members of Congress.
- Student Mobilization
United ENDA member organizations have mobilized student activists
by contacting more than 120 LGBT campus resource centers and giving them tools so their students can take action to preserve
a fully inclusive bill. Through Campus Pride, GLSEN, Campus Progress and other organizations, students have coordinated and
participated in lobby visits at home and in D.C.
- Phone Banking
United ENDA volunteers have engaged in phone banking to ask members to
call their representative using scripts provided by United ENDA.
- Press/Media Outreach
A number of United ENDA member organizations have released press
releases stating organizational positions. An audio press conference attended by 30-plus media outlets was held Oct. 1, the
day before the originally scheduled committee mark-up, to amplify the messages of the various organizations that have since
formed United ENDA.
- Additional Letters to Members of Congress
United ENDA member organizations have also
initiated a religious organization sign-on letter and a letter from HIV/AIDS organizations has been delivered to Congress.
A number of statewide organizations have developed state-specific sign on letters to their congressional delegations.
- Online Activism
United ENDA member organizations have established two online petitions
and a Facebook group. More than 10,000 people have joined or taken action through these sites over the last week. See www.nosubstitutes.org developed by National Stonewall Democrats and http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/transgender_inclusive_ENDA/ developed by National Center for Transgender Equality and Transgender Law Center.
–30– |
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (“NGLTF, Inc.”), founded in 1974, works to build the
grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying
to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and
report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc., is a 501(c)(4)
nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc., are not tax-deductible. | | | |
October 9, 2007
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Congress
is paying attention: Make your voice heard — again!
Last week, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) people and their friends — just like you — delivered an uncompromising message to Congress: Vote for an
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that protects all LGBT people (H.R. 2015), and don’t settle for a substitute
bill that leaves some people behind (H.R. 3685).
Congress heard you and postponed a vote on a substitute bill.
But we expect a new vote to be scheduled soon — maybe as soon as next week. There is no time to waste!
We know why it’s so critical that transgender people
be included in ENDA. One-third of transgender people report facing employment discrimination at some time in their life. And
you can’t separate discrimination against transgender people from discrimination against the rest of our community.
For example, many gay and bisexual men get taunted for “acting like a girl.” Many lesbians are criticized for
“being too butch.” We all face anti-transgender bias, even if we don’t identify as transgender ourselves.
Congress is listening to us and is making up its mind about
which bill to move forward — a bill that provides protections based on gender identity or a bill that does not. Your
representative needs to hear from you, and needs to hear our message loud and clear.
Please, right now, make a phone call to your representative.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121. An operator will connect you with your representative’s
office. When a staff person answers, tell them:
“I’m a constituent and I am calling about one
bill I support and another I oppose. I support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, H.R. 2015, which protects all lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination. However, I urge you to oppose any motion or amendment that would
strip out transgender protections, or any bill without transgender protections (such as H.R. 3685). We are one community and
we want to move forward with one bill that protects all of us. Thank you.”
Click here to send an e-mail to your representative.
Click for a list of U.S. House members.
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The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (“NGLTF, Inc.”), founded in 1974, works to build the
grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying
to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and
report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc., is a 501(c)(4)
nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc., are not tax-deductible. | |
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October 3, 2007
Equality Federation Statement on ENDA
STATEMENT OF EQUALITY FEDERATION ON PROPOSED REMOVAL OF PROTECTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER
AMERICANS FROM FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION
ACT
The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has been working for over thirty years to pass the federal Employment
Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, perceived sexual orientation
and gender identity or expression in the workplace. Late last week, Congressional leaders put forth a version of ENDA
which would omit protections based on gender identity and expression -- a move neither sanctioned nor supported by the vast
majority of lgbt organizations. The stated justification for this modified version of ENDA is that Congress will not
pass the bill if it includes protections for transgender Americans.
Equality Federation, the national alliance of 55 statewide
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) advocacy organizations, categorically rejects this justification and will actively
oppose this or any version of ENDA that would leave any part of the LGBT community behind. Equality Federation will
support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act only if it protects every member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
community.
To omit a segment of the community from anti-discrimination
legislation is wrong-philosophically, morally and strategically. Our experience passing similar laws in state legislatures
has taught us that the wait for passing legislation that protects transgender people after passing a bill that only protects
lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people can last anywhere from five to twenty-five years. This is one of the reasons
that state groups in recent years have focused on the strategy of including gender identity and expression in our efforts
from the beginning.
Equality Federation also opposes a sexual orientation only bill because removing protections based
on gender identity and expression actually hurts all Americans. Such a strategy leaves a huge loophole in protection for lesbians,
gay men, and bisexual people. If the revised version of ENDA were to pass, employers could simply fire anyone for expressing
their gender in a way that does not conform to gender stereotypes. Lesbians could be fired for being too "butch", gay
men could be fired for being effeminate, and the revised ENDA would not offer any protection.
Equality Federation also questions the sudden need to rush
any version of ENDA into law. We find it difficult to believe that a law protecting lesbian and gay people from employment
discrimination is likely to be signed by our current president, and we have seen no evidence to the contrary. If the
choice is between standing on principle and losing or abandoning principle and losing, we see only one correct position to
take: ENDA must protect all Americans from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
Equality Federation members are state-based organizations
answerable to LGBT people in the states. No other national organization has the direct connections and the accountability
to the LGBT community represented by the Federation's members. And though we are aware that this issue provokes passionate
debate within our community, Federation member organizations overwhelmingly signed on to a recent community letter protesting
the stripped-down ENDA because it was the right thing to do. Our community is strongest when we all stand together.
Collectively, Federation members have the largest number
of lobbyists and professional advocates dedicated to LGBT issues in the nation. Our members also have more collective
experience working with fair-minded legislators to pass inclusive legislation than any other LGBT organization. We are
aware of the challenges to passing transgender-inclusive legislation - but we know from our experience that it can be done.
We have done it in thirteen states so far.
We call upon our allies both in the community and in Congress
to stand on principle and to support only employment nondiscrimination legislation that provides real protections for lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. Now is not the time to take what we are told we can get. Now is the time
to provide strong and principled leadership and to argue for what we need. Equality Federation will not settle for less than
an ENDA that protects all members of our LGBT community, and we challenge any claims that the LGBT community supports the
compromise currently being proposed in Congress.
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