ENDA UPDATE: REP. BARNEY FRANK WILL INTRODUCE BILL TO GOP-LEAD HOUSE

The local Pride At Work, AFL-CIO chapter hails Rep. Barney Frank for his leadership;  Frank will introduce ENDA bill in the 112th Congress


Washington, D.C.-- Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) plans to introduce the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in the House tomorrow, according to two LGBT equality advocates with direct knowledge of the congressman's plans. Frank's communications director, Harry Gural, confirmed that the plans are "to formally announce ENDA this week," although he added over the weekend that specifics are not yet nailed down and were expected to be so by this afternoon.

The bill, which Gural says will be the same exact bill as that introduced in the 111th Congress. As it was introduced then, ENDA would prohibit job discrimination against LGBT workers in most situations in the public and private workforce. In 2007, a version of ENDA passed the U.S. House that contained protections only on the basis of sexual orientation. This bill would prohibit most employers from discriminating in hiring and promotions on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Rochester and Finger Lakes Chapter of Pride At Work, AFL-CIO, lead by president Bess Watts, lauds Franks' effort.  "Barney Frank is showing true leadership here.  We know that ENDA has no chance of passing the GOP-controlled House this session, but this can be an organizing tool, particularly with regard to the transgender issue. Our chapter of Pride At Work, AFL-CIO are urging people to spend their time talking to those Representatives who have voted in the past for ENDA and are supportive of ENDA.  We also want to impart on our Representatives that we advocate for transgender inclusion. Having a bill before you makes it easier to organize people to support it.  And, when we say, an injury to one is an injury to all, we really mean it.”

The bill is not expected to move forward in the House under the leadership of Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).  Frank told reporters, "Obviously, with the Republicans in power, you're not going to get the bill even considered."

Rep. Barney Frank

Additionally, Frank notes, "We got hate crimes done, and we got 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repealed, and you can't do everything at once. And that, in fact, the problem was ... there was a fall-off-- a significant one on the Republican side and some on the Democratic side-- because the votes may not be there for an inclusive ENDA."

Of concerns that Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) repeal will take priority over ENDA's passage as legislative efforts move forward, Frank says the premise is "inaccurate," noting, "I believe that, with regard to DOMA, the goal is to win it in court. I do not think there is a good likelihood of getting DOMA repealed through the Congress. I think there is a good likelihood, in a Democratic Congress, of getting an inclusive ENDA."

He added, "And that's the lobbying job for the whole community.  People who identify as transgender, lesbian and gay and bisexual people, our straight friends-- the focal point should be to make sure that everyone who's supportive of ENDA supports the transgender inclusion."