Seeing as ENDA goes up for a vote today, I've been paying closer attention to what the senate is discussing about it today.

The Republicans, specifically Dan Coats (IN) is saying that ENDA, as well as Obamacare and pretty much everything the government is doing is impeding all Americans' religious (Christian) rights and keeps everyone from "freedom of expression and religion."

Then there is Jeff Flake (AZ) who discussed how he voted for ENDA back in 2007, when it didn't include gender identity. Yet he is "concerned" about the current bill because it includes us in it. 

This isn't meant to be a Republican bashing thread. I felt others would like to discuss what's going on today.

Amy

The amendment to broaden "religious organizations" exemption from ENDA has failed to pass. 43 Y - 55 N.

amy

The vote for ENDA will happen at 1:45pm EST (45 minutes from now)

Here is the link if you want to watch this online.

amy

A shame the religious liberty amendment failed. This isn't getting through the House unless it respects the wishes of the Other Half as much as its own target audience.

That said, it doesn't seem like respect is high on the Dem Senate's list of goals with this. This seems more like forcing change than reaching common ground.

Quote from: ZoeM on November 07, 2013, 12:07:43 PM
A shame the religious liberty amendment failed. This isn't getting through the House unless it respects the wishes of the Other Half as much as its own target audience.

That said, it doesn't seem like respect is high on the Dem Senate's list of goals with this. This seems more like forcing change than reaching common ground.

I thought about that when I first heard the news... but then I thought - what about the people in those positions? If it's OK for one person to be gay and teach at a christian university, why does the administration have the right to impose their system on that one person?

What if it were the transgender group they capitulated on... to make the right happy? If this passes both houses without transgender inclusion... we won't see ENDA as a group for another 5-10 years at best.

Quote from: ZoeM on November 07, 2013, 12:07:43 PM
A shame the religious liberty amendment failed. This isn't getting through the House unless it respects the wishes of the Other Half as much as its own target audience.

That said, it doesn't seem like respect is high on the Dem Senate's list of goals with this. This seems more like forcing change than reaching common ground.

I don't agree with it but ENDA already includes exemptions for religious organizations. The amendment that failed was to give them further exemptions.

amy

Sorry for the ignorance, but what is going on today?

Quote from: <3 on November 07, 2013, 12:54:47 PM
Sorry for the ignorance, but what is going on today?

ENDA = Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Basically, it will make it illegal to discriminate against LGBT people in the workplace in the United States.

amy

Quote from: <3 on November 07, 2013, 12:54:47 PM
Sorry for the ignorance, but what is going on today?

The US Senate is voting on the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). If it passes there, it goes to the House of Representatives to be tabled indefinitely.... I mean for their action (or non-action).

Quote from: Amelia Pond on November 07, 2013, 12:57:17 PM
ENDA = Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Basically, it will make it illegal to discriminate against LGBT people in the workplace in the United States.

amy

It's not already? 

Quote from: kabit on November 07, 2013, 12:57:43 PM
The US Senate is voting on the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). If it passes there, it goes to the House of Representatives to be tabled indefinitely.... I mean for their action (or non-action).

It's unfortunate that it's the way this is headed.

Quote from: <3 on November 07, 2013, 12:58:42 PM
It's not already? 

Not in all states, like mine for example.

amy

Quote from: <3 on November 07, 2013, 12:58:42 PM
It's not already?

Unfortunately it's a common misconception. Those not LGBT+ often believe we all have the right to not be fired just because of who we are. It is only true in a few states (by state law).

Quote from: Amelia Pond on November 07, 2013, 01:00:08 PM

Not in all states, like mine for example.

amy

Interesting.  So you can be fired for being gay?

Quote from: kabit on November 07, 2013, 01:01:42 PM
Unfortunately it's a common misconception. Those not LGBT+ often believe we all have the right to not be fired just because of who we are. It is only true in a few states (by state law).

I believe in 29 states it's still legally allowed for employers to discriminate against people for their sexual orientation and 33 are currently allowed to discriminate against people for being transgender.

amy

Quote from: <3 on November 07, 2013, 01:03:24 PM
Interesting.  So you can be fired for being gay?

yep

amy

Are there any similar loopholes in the US?

The vote is technically still going on but it's passed!!!  Now to get Boehner to allow a vote in Congress. 

amy

Quote from: Amelia Pond on November 07, 2013, 01:19:52 PM
The vote is technically still going on but it's passed!!!  Now to get Boehner to allow a vote in Congress. 

amy

Boehner is just a temporary setback. Stay tuned for 2015. . .

The religious amendment is primarily canard. They would still be hostile to the ENDA Bill if it existed and did not even describe a group. They very much support the fire anyone for any reason business practice. It matters little that religion or TS people or gay people are involved.

Quote from: Missy~rmdlm on November 07, 2013, 02:17:50 PM
The religious amendment is primarily canard. They would still be hostile to the ENDA Bill if it existed and did not even describe a group. They very much support the fire anyone for any reason business practice. It matters little that religion or TS people or gay people are involved.

It's so funny that they care about the "money to small business" side of it...

http://www.advocate.com/politics/2013/11/06/study-discrimination-costs-64-billion-every-year

So... what now, Congress?? Oh... it's just a "study" and you don't believe in "theories." -- Bigots will always have an excuse.