Gay discrimination in the workplace banned by the end of 2009?

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would ban workplace bias based on sexual orientation and gender discrimination, has a chance of becoming law by the end of 2009, according to Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., its lead sponsor in the Senate.

The measure was introduced in the Senate on Wednesday with 38 co-sponsors, including Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.; Olympia Snowe, R-Maine; and Susan Collins, R-Maine. Out Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., is the chief sponsor of the House version, which was introduced in June.

Reactions to ENDA: Matt Kailey

Reaction to the passing of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, lacking protection for the transgendered community, has been mixed. Some consider it an historic success, others a disappointing failure. Here's what Matt Kailey, noted author, speaker and transman, had to say.

Drew: What does the passage of the non-trans inclusive ENDA mean to the trans community?
Matt: I can't speak for the trans community as a whole. However, I can speculate. What it means is that we are still considered second-class citizens by representatives that we, as voters, had a hand in electing to represent our interests. We are still considered second-class citizens in a country that we support with our tax dollars. And, because the Human Rights Campaign, the largest, wealthiest, and most powerful GLB"T" organization in the country, not only backed this bill but put pressure on representatives to vote for it and issued a statement celebrating its victory, we are considered less than human.

Drew: What does it mean to you personally?
It means all of the above, in addition to it being a personal affront. It is very painful to know that a country that I have lived in all my life, that I have supported for over three decades with my tax dollars, and that I have dedicated my service to in the past as a government worker for 18 years does not think me worthy of equal rights and equal treatment under the law.

Matt: Did the GLB community fight hard enough for a trans-inclusive ENDA?
Over 350 local and national GLBT organizations banded together to support an inclusive ENDA bill and to reject this noninclusive version. I applaud those organizations and all the work that they put into this. The GLB community fought long and hard against this bill, but the GLB community is a microcosm of the larger U.S. society, where rich and powerful white men, such as Rep. Barney Frank and HRC president Joe Solmonese, call the shots.

Drew: Why is it important for all of the letters of the GLBT alphabet to stand together politically?
Matt: Because we all have one thing in common, and that is discrimination based on gender. Gay men and lesbians suffer more discrimination because of their gender presentation than they do because of their sexual orientation. Unless they walk around announcing their sexual orientation, it is unknown. Gay men and lesbians are harassed, fired, attacked, and even killed because they are expressing their gender in ways that are unacceptable to mainstream American culture. In addition, we also share the stigma that our bodies are "wrong." Trans bodies are "wrong" because they do not fit the requirements for an acceptable, standard "male" or "female" body. The bodies of gay men and lesbians are "wrong," too, because they are not supposed to be together in sex and in love. Only one standard "male" body and one standard "female" body are supposed to be together in sex and in love. When two male bodies or two female bodies are together, one of those bodies is "wrong." These are the connections we share.

Drew: Is there anything else you'd like to say?
Matt: I commend those GLB people who understand the above and who fight every day for inclusion. I commend those who do not and will not leave their people behind. Until we all have rights, no one does. And if you think your rights cannot be taken away--guess again.

Floor Vote on ENDA Today

Today the U.S. House will debate and hold a floor vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The floor debate on ENDA will begin after French President Nicolas Sarkozy concludes his address to a joint session of Congress. President Sarkozy’s speech is scheduled to begin around 10:45 a.m. EST and we’re expecting the ENDA floor debate to start around 12 noon.