The Gay Thing: LGBT Employment Rights Federally Mandated All Along?

Well, this is kind of nifty. And no big hoopla, or anything. I've used the 1964 Civil Rights Act as an example for quite a while when arguing against discrimination in public accommodations. You know, those oddly religiously sensitive bakers and florists who won't sell to gay folks getting married? Though sexual orientation wasn't part of that act nationally, it's illustrative. But who knew it applied to discrimination in employment already? This is such new news, I wonder if it might not also apply to public accommodations? If so, this is a rather nifty end-run around all of those RFRA thingies, isn't it? I'm hoping so.

Image from source, Buzzfeed

[Excerpt]

Sexual Orientation Discrimination Is Barred By Existing Law, Federal Commission Rules
 
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled that existing civil rights law bars sexual orientation-based employment discrimination — a groundbreaking decision to advance legal protections for gay, lesbian, and bisexual workers. . .

Read more at: Buzzfeed

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Urges Passage of ENDA

As if I could love her more.

[Excerpt]
 
Elizabeth Warren Urges Senate Colleagues To Pass ENDA



After clearing a significant procedural vote on Monday, legislation banning workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was pressed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in a Senate floor speech in advance of a final vote later this week. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

The Gay Thing: ENDA on Track to Pass Senate

ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, is poised to be passed by the Senate, with the unlikely help of a few Republicans, notably Nevada's Senator Dean Heller. The bill has been around since 1994, but hasn't had much of a chance of passage until now. Still, John Boner Boehner promises to kill the bill in the House, claiming that it's unnecessary, and--irony of irony--kills jobs. See, ENDA was created to save jobs, specifically the jobs of gay, lesbian and transgendered people who are currently not protected from being fired for their gender identity or sexual orientation in a majority of states. Boehner either doesn't know this, or is banking on his constituents not knowing this.

It's still an important vote, symbolically showing progress.

[Excerpt]

Senate Passes ENDA on Procedural Vote

For the first time since it was originally introduced in 1996, the U.S. Senate took an important step toward passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, voting in favor of cloture — a procedural move intended to overcome any attempted filibuster — in a bipartisan vote of 61-30. . .

Read more at: The Advocate

GetEQUAL's Heckling of the First Lady Not Helping

Image from source, Huffington Post

Okay, as a gay person, I don't generally feel the need to opine on each and every activist that does something notable, or notorious. I'm only responsible for myself after all. But as a long-time blogger with a (sometimes) accent on gay rights issues, I just wanted to highlight this little performance. And say that I really dislike this sort of "protest," and think it does far more harm than good.

First of all, the Obamas have been vocal supporters of gay rights, far and away beyond any other First Family, even the Clintons, who have DOMA and DADT to live down. Not perfect, no. In fact, very frustrating at times, but we've made more strides as a community arguably, than during any other administration. And heckling Michelle Obama at an unrelated event like this seems to me disrespectful, out of line, and wholly inappropriate. I can't imagine that GetEQUAL's ENDA agenda (heh) was helped at all, and was in fact besmirched. I'm sure it made hardcore conservatives happy, but what in the world does that accomplish?

Badly done.

[Excerpt]

Michelle Obama DNC Fundraiser Speech Interrupted By LGBT Protester 

First lady Michelle Obama's speech Tuesday evening at a private Democratic National Committee fundraiser was interrupted by a protester, who demanded equality for gays and lesbians. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

What Happens in Vegas: "Get Equal" Blocks the Strip?

How did I miss this? Here I am, an intrepid Las Vegas blogger, and an out-of-town visitor found this before I did? Well, Joe.My.God. has been doing this a lot longer than me, and. . .well. . .I guess he's better at it too.  As in my previous post, I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I'm all an board with Get Equal's mission, just not nuts about their tactics.  I've never really understood protesting in blatantly illegal (and annoying) ways to reach your goal.  I'm sure it works sometimes, but I dunno.  Like Gilda Radner's character Rhonda Weiss said, "I've always found protests kind of pushy and whiny."

And then there is the fact that they're calling Harry Reid out. All well and good (and I'm not against that either), but Reid is so immesureably better than his competition (wack-a-doodle Sharron Angle), I'm not sure he needs any more black eyes just now.  Then again, it is not as if Angle would even approach the issue in her campaign. Would she?

[Excerpt]

GetEQUAL Blocks Las Vegas Strip

Eight members of GetEqual, including Robin McGehee and Dan Choi, were arrested in Las Vegas today after blocking traffic on the city's busiest street in protest of inaction on ENDA by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). . .

Source: Joe.My.God.

Dear Democrats, We Need to Talk. --The Gays

Doing my part to spread the word (via: AmericaBlog)

ACTION: Sign our open letter to the Dems on ENDA and repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell!

Dear Democrats,

We need to talk.

This may be a hard letter to read, but I need to figure out if this relationship is still healthy for me.

For the longest time, I thought we had something special. Remember how much fun we used to have back when we were young, and control of the Congress and the presidency was just a crazy dream? You always used to ask me for help, and you knew I'd never turn you down.

You were so adorable when we were courting. Sure, you never really understood me, but I liked that you seemed to try. The White House cocktail parties were totally fun, and that Easter Egg Roll is something I'll always cherish. Or remember the time you let me march in the Inaugural parade! Other than that whole Rick Warren thing, I really thought we had a connection.
I know you kept telling me that you weren't ready for marriage, but I was willing to wait since you had promised so much else in the meantime.

But now, I've kind of had it. I'm just not getting what I need out of this relationship. You rarely call me anymore, and when you do it's to ask for money. We talked about joining the military together -- but now it seems like you are flaking on that commitment. You promised to protect me from the homophobes at work, but you don't seem to be in a hurry to actually do it. And -- that Department of Justice brief thing was just cruel. I'll never understand why you did that.

It almost seems like you're embarrassed by me in public. I know not everyone in your family approves of us, but before you got your new job, it seemed like you didn't care what they thought and were always ready to fight for me. Now, it's like you're a different person.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I still think we have a future. I want us to have a future. But I need this relationship to be healthy for both of us. And I just can't get excited anymore by your empty promises and half-gestures.

I need you to take a real step. You know what I'm talking about -- the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell.

I still worry every day that I can be fired in 29 states just because I'm gay. And my friend who is transgender can be fired in 38 states. I know you can do it. You've helped protect people from employment discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, disability and many other characteristics. Each time me and my friend have been left behind. It's our turn. ENDA's time has come.

It's our turn to be welcomed into the military as well. I want to serve my country openly and proudly. I was so excited when you promised you would repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell this year after 17 long years of putting up with it.

Now, I can't even get you to talk about DADT.

You promised to change. I know that you can. But why should I stand by your side when you can't keep your promises to me?

I get that you're scared. But I'm scared too -- scared of losing you. You need to prove to me that you really care. You need to finally give me the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, like you promised.

I have enough disappointments in my life. I need you to not be one of them.

Love,

The Gays

ENDA Passes the House

Republicans tried, really tried to derail the passage of the Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA) today. They threw everything they had at it, tried to imply that it would lead to same-sex marriage, tried to "table" the bill--effectively killing it. But, possibly partly due to Barney Frank's impassioned speech, the Republicans were unsuccessful.

I guess I shouldn't lump all Republicans together, because there were some that were on board. Unfortunately, probably not enough to block a Bush veto. And he will likely veto it too, but perhaps at his party's peril. The Log Cabin Republicans will likely be pressing potential Republican candidates for President, about their views on ENDA and Bush's veto. And with this bunch, they're likely all behind Bush on this. I can't imagine that the Log Cabiners are going to take kindly to that.

[Excerpt]

ENDA Passes House Without Trans Protections

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act but with without protections for trans-workers after more than five hours of debate, wrangling, maneuvering and lobbying.

In the end the House voted 235 - 185, mostly along party lines.

The issue of gender identity divided Democrats and led to a rift within the LGBT community.
ENDA originally included all members of the LGBT community, but its sponsor, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) one of only two openly gay members of Congress, removed gender identity fearing the legislation might not get out of committee.

ENDA, as currently worded, would make it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in hiring, firing, promoting or paying an employee. . .

Read on at: 365Gay

Barney Frank's Plea on ENDA

More later on the historic passing of the Employment Non-discrimination Act in the House of Representatives today. For now, watch the bill's sponsor (since the 1970s), Barney Frank. He's one of the smartest members of Congress, in my opinion, and despite an unusual voice, an impassioned speaker. What's more, his plea worked.