June 24, 2009   
Washington, DC - The National Center for Transgender Equality applauds today's introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) as a vital step towards employment equality for all Americans.

"Right now, we are at a press conference on Capitol Hill about the introduction of a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would extend the existing federal law prohibiting employment discrimination to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Representative Barney Frank, joined by Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, introduced the bill this afternoon, joined by a bi-partisan group of Representatives.

http://www.nctequality.org/

Aren't they doing what you accused them of not doing just a few days ago?

It's not Obama that's pushed for a fully inclusive ENDA, it's the trans community that has been working feverishly to get this done.  The same group of which you asked:

"Where is the T?  Where is the T group with a political action wing?  Where is the T group that was out organizing?"

I guess you have your answer now.

Julie

Obama does not write laws, Congress does, he passes or vetoes them, but if you think this is happening without his consent, that's it not part of the package, I think you would be mistaken.  These people have been very careful, and this coming directly on top of the trans rights for federal employees (something he can do as chief executive) it would seem that at least he is moving in that direction.  Slowly, but surely, and if nothing else, they have been pretty sure footed.  He's already said he would sign it, something that had it passed in the past, Bush would not have done.

Pussing T-inclusive ENDA is a huge political risk. Democrats from swing districts may really get negative publicity from it. And politicians first priority is to get re-elected.

With the way the Republican Party is going these days the Dems just might get a walk the next election as the Republicans are not going to have all that many people to run, and at that, they were not even a viable party in the most populous and wealthy areas before they began to self destruct.  They are fast becoming, if they are not there already, a rump party catering to the South and some rural populations, which does not win elections.

They are going the way of the Whigs, and I would not be surprised to see a new party emerging on the right - one less fundamentalist and more centered on conservative economics but social liberal issues, by 1212.  As well as a new party with perhaps a Sara Palin at the head to appeal to the real wing nuts.

Done this early, and with all the other major issues going down, this will be all but forgotten except by the bitter few by the next cycle.

Quote from: tekla on June 24, 2009, 06:29:53 PM

They are going the way of the Whigs, and I would not be surprised to see a new party emerging on the right

they already do, it's called the Democratic Party. that's why I want a new progressive party.

(oh, and the Whigs are back too)

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Post Merge: June 24, 2009, 09:27:54 PM

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oh, and good on you congressman Frank!

they already do, it's called the Democratic Party.

Tragically funny.  I read today that the left moved to the right and the right moved into the insane asylum.  Too close for comfort there.

You know, people always say that. I don't really think it's quite accurate. In what specific ways is the Democratic Party as a whole more conservative than it was in, say, in 1980, at the end of its post-FDR dominance?

Well, just for a few openers.

I don't that the traditional Democratic Party would have:
-"ended welfare as we know it"
- Passed the Telecommunications Act consolidating ownership in the hands of a very few corporations
- Passed the new bankruptcy laws that gave all the power to the banks and credit card companies
- Bailed out the huge stock brokers while radically weakening unions
- Gone along with the Patriot Act without reading the thing (we had more civil liberties during WWII then we do now)

I shouldn't have said "accurate" -- I should have said "precise." Sorry, I was tired.

What I was trying to get at is that the the Democratic Party has becore much more united. There used to be conservative Democrats, and they have slowly dropped away. When people say the Republicans have gotten more conservative, the exodus of liberal or even moderate members is cited, so I'm just saying there's been a similar purging and realignment among the Democrats.

I heard about this a few weeks back. Let's pray that this bill does get passed THIS time. I also pray that Barney Frank doesn't screw it up. I hope HRC has nothing to do with it either. Remember, they were the ones who threw transgender people under the bus in 2007.

Gennee

I did not realize that a new bill was introduced. Every year I go to my state's capital in an attempt to get the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act passed on a state level. It would be really great and amazing if they can pass it on a federal level. Pretty much for the past 3 years since this bill's original introduction I've been talking to my assembly-person, and senator to inform them about the bill, and pretty much chit chat about it.

Right now I live in a county that is wedged in between two counties that have a county wide version of ENDA/GENDA. It sucks!