Happy/Sad

Yesterday the House passed the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) granting protection against workplace discrimination for sexual orientation. The bill amends the federal Civil Rights Act and makes it illegal for an employer “to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment of the individual, because of such individual’s actual or perceived sexual orientation.” This move is significant as only 19 states have laws banning such discrimination. So! This is happy news.

Even happier, for me, was that one of my Women's Studies students came into class today and informed everyone about the development. She said that she had been obsessively checking CNN for an update and upon passage talked about the significance with her roommate. HOORAH for engaged students.

But it isn't all good...to ensure bill passage, Democrats had to remove language protecting transsexual and transgendered individuals. Further proof that we (as a public) refuse to recognize gender diversity. If one identifies as a man and loves another man, we recognize you shouldn't be discriminated against. But what happens if you have male sex organs but identify as a female and love both men and women? Advocates need to work toward more gender identity protection.

To sign the ORIGINAL petition, go HERE