Proposed Transgender Discrimination Protections Spark Debate
Posted by Stephanie Condon
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20002967-503544.htmlA House committee is poised to vote on a bill that would protect employees from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, but an opponent of the legislation said on "Washington Unplugged" today that Democratic leaders can't afford to make their members "walk the plank" with another controversial vote. Meanwhile, an advocate of the bill said it reflects fundamental American values.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has promised a vote either this week or next on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill he sponsored (it has 198 co-sponsors). Democrats have tried to pass a version of the legislation for years, but social conservatives say the bill is now especially controversial because of the protections it would grant to transgender and transsexual teachers.
