Legal issues in ENDA 2009 version, Round 1

[Shana A]

Legal issues in ENDA 2009 version, Round 1
Filed by: Nan Hunter
September 26, 2009 12:00 PM

http://www.bilerico.com/2009/09/legal_issues_in_enda_round_1.php

Wednesday's hearing before the House Education and Labor Committee probably could not have gone better for supporters of ENDA. You can watch it and access copies of all the written testimony at the Committee's website. All Witnesses-websized-194h.jpgSpecial cheers to witnesses Vandy Beth Glenn, Bill Eskridge and Brad Sears. (See other Bilerico posts for a detailed summary and Jillian Weiss's excellent call to take action.

There were no fireworks at the hearing, doubtless due in large part to the fact that only a handful of Republican members attended, at least one of whom is an ENDA co-sponsor. The most striking aspect of the tone in the hearing room was how technical most of the legal discussion was - no arguments over covering this group of people, no moral claims, no indication that including transgender people was anything other than a no-brainer. BUT - this was only the hearing.

[sd]

The most striking aspect of the tone in the hearing room was how technical most of the legal discussion was - no arguments over covering this group of people, no moral claims, no indication that including transgender people was anything other than a no-brainer. BUT - this was only the hearing.

That actually surprised me while watching it.

It seems we will get it passed in some form or another relatively soon, it's mostly just a matter of legal issues more or less.

[Janet_Girl]

I have not seen the debate, nor read the transcripts, but one thing that sticks me is...

let's keep our eyes on what's really important: insuring that this law doesn't cost employers too much.

^{Emphasis is mine}

If they don't discriminate what would it really cost the employers?  Teaching the company that it is not OK to discriminate, in anyway.  To do so is subject to disciplinary action, Period.

Discriminate and be ready to go to Federal court.


Janet

I might not be seeing the whole picture, but it seems so easy.  Quit discriminating.

[Shana A]

I listened to the entire hearing, while there were a few detractors, for the most part things seemed pretty positive.

But this girl remembers all too well being thrown under the bus in '07, and will believe we're protected under the law when the bill including gender identity and expression passes and is signed into law by pres Obama.

Z