Why we need ENDA – you can still be fired in most states for being LGBT – ask Ellen
By: Pam Spaulding Saturday February 4, 2012 7:50 am
http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/02/04/why-we-need-enda-you-can-still-be-fired-in-most-states-for-being-lgbt-ask-ellen/Reactions are usually like "How can they do that?" or "That's ridiculous in this day and age."
My guess is that average allies (and even way too many LGBTs, sorry to say) not particularly wired into political activism only see the social progress the LGBT equality movement has made that you see in news reports (repeal of DADT, the federal hate crimes law). They don't notice the lack of consistency in basic civil rights around the country, much of it glossed over by the visible gains in Blue states and municipalities, unless they know someone affected by discrimination.
This is why we need the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to be passed and signed into law — and it won't happen with the current political composition on the Hill despite wide public support. ENDA would add protections for LGBTs by prohibiting discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by civilian, nonreligious employers with at least 15 employees.
A recent high profile action brought employment discrimination into the limelight, when Ellen DeGeneres was targeted by "OneMillionMoms.com" - a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center hate group-certified American Family Association. It called for its supporters to contact J.C. Penney and demand that the company fire Ellen because she serves as its spokesperson.
