PFAW: It’s Time for Law to Catch Up With Public Opposition to Discrimination on the Job

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would protect LGBT Americans from workplace discrimination, was introduced in the House of Representatives today. The legislation was introduced by a bipartisan group of congressional members, including Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA), Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Christopher Shays (R-CT).

“It’s high time for Congress to pass this legislation,” said People For the American Way president Ralph G. Neas. “Discrimination is real, and it hurts. No one should be discriminated against in the workplace because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.”

In most states, it is currently legal for employers to fire someone because of his or her sexual orientation, or to refuse to hire that person in the first place, despite the basic unfairness of such practices. Most Americans reject this unfairness and agree overwhelmingly—89 percent according to a 2006 Gallup poll—that gay and lesbian people should have equal job opportunities.

“Americans support anti-discrimination legislation,” said Neas, “It is time for our laws to reflect public support for the principle of fairness in the workplace. This is commonsense legislation that every member of Congress should support.”