What is ENDA?

Many people are unaware that it is legal to discriminate against a person based on sexual orientation or gender identity under U.S. federal law. In 29 states, it's legal to fire someone simply for being gay, lesbian or bisexual, and in 34 states, it's legal to fire someone for being transgender. The Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA), if approved, would extend protection from discrimination based on irrational prejudice to LGBT employees across the country. However important legal protections are, there exist a variety of other methods to implement equal workplace policies. Read more about the incoming congressional delegation (the 112th Congress) and how to move forward here.

What is the status of ENDA?

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was reintroduced on March 30, 2011. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing on ENDA in June 2012. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, along with 203 co-sponsors, is identical to the one considered in 2009, which stalled in committee last year. The 2009 bill had the most co-sponsors, at 203, of any LGBT legislation to date. The legislation applies to businesses with 15 or more employees, labor unions, and governments, and exempts religious institutions and the military. Out & Equal continues to work with companies and organizations to implement fully-inclusive institutional policies similar to what ENDA would provide employees.

Latest News

• Reaction to the June 12, 2012 Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
• Out & Equal applauds the reintroduction of ENDA; calls for end to discrimination.
• January 2011, the 111th Congress closes without voting on ENDA, requiring that the bill be reintroduced at a future date.
• December 22, 2010: Openly LGBT Comissioner to the Equal Employment Opportunity Comission, Chai Feldblum, was confirmed by the Senate for a full 3-year term.
• December 16, 2010: ENDA's Absence -  Employment bill started strong, but is barely breathing at the close of the 111th Congress. Metro Weekly.

What can I do to advocate for the passage of ENDA?

The decision on whether Congress with move forward with ENDA rests with the leadership of the United States House of Representatives. The time is now for us to tell the new incoming Speaker of the House, John Boehner, and our House Representatives that they must protect all Americans from discrimination by moving ENDA forward immediately. It is not acceptable to continue waiting.
 
Speak up by contacting your representative’s office and requesting that ENDA be reintroduced to the Senate. Contact your federal lawmakers, and ask for their support in acting on ENDA immediately.

To reach your House Representative, call the U.S. capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, provide your zip code and ask to be connected to your House Representative. Now is the time to take action! Today is the opportunity to make a difference. Your unique voice is needed now. Make a difference.

Resources

We are continually striving to provide resources that will help create better workplaces for LGBT individuals, in our mission for workplace equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, or characteristics.

Out & Equal Resources

• Understand how discrimination in the public sector affects LGBT government workers in the Center for American Progress' report: Gay and Transgender Discrimination in the Public Sector.
• Read the latest Out & Equal blog posts on the status of ENDA and other non-discrimination laws.
• Out & Equal’s Deputy Director, Kevin Jones’ piece “How the elections might (or might not) affect workplace equality” in Echelon magazine. 
• Read about the "20 Steps to an Out & Equal Workplace," and use the toolkit to learn how to put them into practice.
• Wondering where LGBT employees are? Learn more about best practicies for LGBT Self IDentification Metrics in the 2009 Self ID Report.
• Take a look at the Advocacy Frontier.

Academic and Research Articles

• Read up on the findings presented in the Council for Global Equality's latest report, Anchoring Equality: How US Corporations Can Build Equal and Inclusive Work Environments.
• Read the William Institute's report "Bias in the Workplace: Consistent Evidence of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination," documenting the widespread and persistent pattern of employment discrimination against LGBT people in both private and public employment.

Mobilizing and Organizing Resources

• Passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act: A ToolKit, from the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, provides useful information on media, outreach, mobilizing and organizing.

Maps of LGBT rights

• Visualize equality across the United States with the Movement Advancement Project's state-by-state interactive maps.