Breaking: In Historic Vote, Senate Passes ENDA
DAVID BADASH, NOVEMBER 7, 2013

In an historic vote not taken since 1996, the U.S. Senate just voted on and passed ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Only a simple majority of "ayes" were needed to pass the bill...

Republicans voting for the bill included Senators McCain, Flake, Toomey, Portman, Hatch, Ayotte, Murkowski, and Collins.

Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio were among those voting no.

Just after noon today, Senators defeated the Toomey Amendment, which would have vastly increased the number and types of businesses exempt from ENDA, greatly weakening the legislation. That vote was 55-43.

Senator Harry Reid this morning, in speaking on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, announced, that the "time has come for Congress to pass a federal law that ensures all citizens, regardless of where they live, can go to work not afraid of who they are." The majority leader, reminded Americans that contrary to their current belief, there is no federal law protecting LGBT from being fired for being LGBT. "Well, it isn't already the law. Let's do what the American people think already exists."

So if this passes through the House, then nationally, we can't be fired for being trans*? This is one of the big ones I'm waiting for before I transition. I can't afford to lose my job while transitioning, and neither can my family. Let's hope the GOP can see the reality of the situation. If they don't pass this, it'll be like not abolishing slavery...

Theoretically transgender people have protection now according to an EEOC ruling.

Eh... I heard about that ruling. Technically it does provide complete protection. But only for government employees. Not for those of us working regular jobs.

So wait, ENDA only provides protection for government employees? That would make the religious exemption make no sense.....

Quote from: Jaelithe on November 08, 2013, 03:49:17 PM
So wait, ENDA only provides protection for government employees? That would make the religious exemption make no sense.....

The EEOC's ruling applies to government jobs. ENDA would apply to ever business with 15 or more employees (except religious organizations ...).

Well that's good news. I need to worry less about what county to look for work in before coming out if the law is federal.

EEOC covers more than just government jobs.

Unfortunately, there's a better chance of John Boehner himself being transsexual than there is of that thing passing the house this year =/

Quote from: LordKAT on November 08, 2013, 06:29:47 PM
EEOC covers more than just government jobs.

I didn't know that. That's great news then for us! Though ... it's got to be hard to prove, and difficult for people with low incomes to afford to get help, if they can find a job in the first place.

That last part would still concern me even with the passage of ENDA. I can see how the law would deffinetly benefit those already in a job, and the same with the EEOC rulings, but what would be there to stop employers from simply not hiring someone who's trans in the first place?

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on November 08, 2013, 06:31:11 PM
Unfortunately, there's a better chance of John Boehner himself being transsexual than there is of that thing passing the house this year =/

Yeah ... and that's if they bring it up for a vote at all.

Idk about the EEOC. Some trans people have used that ruling, but it's shaky. I'm pretty sure it has been used for non-government jobs, but not many.

It is shaky and that is why Enda needs to pass and spell it out.

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on November 08, 2013, 06:31:11 PM
Unfortunately, there's a better chance of John Boehner himself being transsexual than there is of that thing passing the house this year =/

They won't pass nothing till after the midterms.

Hopefully we (dems) can pick a few seats this time around....probably not.