Guest column by Kerry Eleveld - The False Choice: ENDA v. Marriage Equality

[Shana A]

Guest column by Kerry Eleveld - The False Choice: ENDA v. Marriage Equality
by: Pam Spaulding
Sat Feb 12, 2011 at 07:00:00 AM EST

http://pamshouseblend.com/diary/18643/guest-column-by-kerry-eleveld-the-false-choice-enda-v-marriage-equality

    The False Choice: ENDA v. Marriage Equality

    By Kerry Eleveld

    A potentially divisive debate is emerging among some LGBT activists that sets up a false choice between pushing for employment nondiscrimination protections or marriage equality at the federal level. I roundly reject the notion that this is an either-or proposition. As a community, we can and should work on both issues over the next two years. But it's fair to say that while I personally believe these two issues are equally as important, they are not equally situated, and therefore the strategies we must employ to advance them are distinctly different.

    Let's start with a brief overview of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) -- which would prohibit employers from firing people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity -- from my perspective as a reporter who covered the issue closely over the last two years.