Supporting Equal Rights for All

Many of us know people who have been victims of employment discrimination based on their sexual orientation. 

Earlier this month, the House considered the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA, H.R. 3685) to prohibit this type of discrimination. I proudly voted for this legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 235-184.

Existing laws protect against discriminatory employment practices because of an individual’s actual or perceived race, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, or political affiliation. ENDA would extend these protections to sexual orientation.

If the Senate passes and the President signs ENDA, employers will no longer be able to refuse to hire gay men, lesbians and bisexuals. Nor will they be able to pay them less or treat them differently because of their sexual orientation. This would be a tremendous step forward and a huge civil rights victory.

It would also be long overdue. Legislation to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was first introduced 33 years ago.

Most of us look back on America’s history and deeply regret that women and non-whites had to struggle for rights that should have been automatically granted to them. In the future, our children and grandchildren will likewise lament that we took so long to grant equal rights to gays, lesbians and bisexuals. I hope the Senate and President Bush don’t add insult to injury by continuing to delay.

After ENDA becomes law, I will encourage my colleagues to keep moving forward and provide non-discrimination protections to transgender people as well.

I look forward to discussing civil rights and other issues with you at my town meetings on Saturday, December 1st.

Pete