Things are looking good for ENDA

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which has long been championed by out Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., this year stands a good chance of becoming law, because of a combination of factors. ENDA has the backing of President Barack Obama and strong support in the Senate. It also has a powerful advocate in Diego Sanchez, a transgender member of Frank's staff whose presence has helped to educate lawmakers on transgender issues.

Transman joins Barney Frank's staff

Diego Sanchez is the newest edition to Barney Frank's (D-Mass.-gay) staff, and this guy has been around the block a few times and knows what he's doing. He's been named on of the 100 most powerful Latinos in corporate America by Hispanic Business Magazine, and was appointed by Howard Dean to the Democratic National Committee's Platform Committee. The thing that's so important about all this is that Sanchez is a transguy--born female, now male.

Hopefully, Sanchez will have a lot of influence with Frank, who, for a long time, was not sold on trans inclusion in the federal ENDA--and in almost any other gay and lesbian rights battle. But Frank's come a ways since then, and Sanchez will probably have an even greater impact on that. So, Deigo, we salute you. Keep up the good work.