America's Leading Gay News Source



Boehner on ENDA: 'I haven't thought much about it'


By Chris Johnson on April 18, 2012


http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/04/18/boehner-on-enda-i-havent-thought-much-about-it/



House Speaker John Boehner (Blade file photo by Michael Key)


U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) expressed little interest Wednesday in advancing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the wake of an announcement from the White House last week that the Obama administration won't take action against LGBT workplace discrimination at this time.

Although the administration insists it will work with Congress to pass legislation in lieu of an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers, Boehner seemed unaware of ENDA in response to a question from the Washington Blade, saying, "I haven't seen the bill. I haven't thought much about it."

For once, I believe a politician.  I suspect he doesn't think much about anything if he hasn't thought about this.

Sounds like he'd rather think about it as little as possible.

Recall that 0bama and the Dumocrats had two full years to unilaterally enact ENDA, and failed to do so.

Don't blame the current Speaker now, when ditzy Nancy Pelosi dropped the ball.

He's so orange.

Quote from: Jamie D on April 23, 2012, 02:37:36 AM
Recall that 0bama and the Dumocrats had two full years to unilaterally enact ENDA, and failed to do so.

Don't blame the current Speaker now, when ditzy Nancy Pelosi dropped the ball.

Oh, I didn't forget that either.  I blame both parties.  I also blame Obama for not creating a federal order that applies to contractors.  I would love to see a viable third choice (it might only actually be a *second* choice since R's and D's are indistinguishable too often).

That said, public opinion has changed in two years and ENDA would be more supported by citizens today than it would have been two years ago.  I also like Obama's stance on DOMA a lot better than the current speaker's, although I'd certainly prefer Obama to not defend it at all, not just not defend one provision of it.

Quote from: Slanan on April 23, 2012, 09:17:09 AM
Oh, I didn't forget that either.  I blame both parties.  I also blame Obama for not creating a federal order that applies to contractors.  I would love to see a viable third choice (it might only actually be a *second* choice since R's and D's are indistinguishable too often).

That said, public opinion has changed in two years and ENDA would be more supported by citizens today than it would have been two years ago.  I also like Obama's stance on DOMA a lot better than the current speaker's, although I'd certainly prefer Obama to not defend it at all, not just not defend one provision of it.

Good observations, Slanan.

I see the ENDA issue as a political football, being used to "gain points" with the GLBT community, without losing points otherwise.  It has never been taken seriously, or it would have been passed.

I don't like being part of the game.

Quote from: Jamie D on April 23, 2012, 02:37:36 AM
Recall that 0bama and the Dumocrats had two full years to unilaterally enact ENDA, and failed to do so.

Don't blame the current Speaker now, when ditzy Nancy Pelosi dropped the ball.

That is because they where to busy taking care of the "Do not ask, do not tell," we are third citizens.

I am not too happy with the Enda progression so far however, I don't think we should start to point fingers at the Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal.

In my opinion, the repeal of that law was an incredible success. Just because the Lesbians, Gays, and bisexuals had a victory, I do not think we should start to make a positive step in the right direction a bad thing or as an excuse that they did this without thinking about us trans. I think when we start to get upset because a LGB law was passed and a TS wasn't then we start to throw away the baby with the bath water and that really does not benefit anyone.

In all honesty, 10 years ago, there just was not much of a presence of the transgender within the scope of laws and rights. I had been transgender all my life and I did not become aware of strong pro trans legislation or the fight to get those legislations until just five years ago. However, I have known about Lesbian and Gay rights since the 80s.

The reason is, the lesbians and gay movement has been in the public limelight far longer than trans has. Yes, there has been trans in the limelight...but nothing compared to lesbians and gays.

So when don't ask don't tell was repeal, I celebrated in the success of gays, lesbians, and bi and there victory.

We have legislation and proposals introduced. Yes, many governments did drop the ball but it is only natural in the course of our humanity to recognize civil rights and the progressive growth they had done.

Yes, it is right to be angry but at the same time to be careful about dismissing the victories the lesbains, gays, and bis has accomplished in the these years.

The biggest step in the transgender community is to get DSM to drop the mental disorder among trans or make it case specific. The gays and lesbians were once thought to be mentally ill to but the fought to get it taken out. The biggest reason why trans cannot serve in the military is because of the GID and how DSM views it as a mental disorder. They thought the same with Gays and Lesbians in their DSM in the past.

It will take time. It is a progression that may sometimes be slow and painful but it is a progression nevertheless.

Quote from: peky on April 23, 2012, 02:11:49 PM
That is because they where to busy taking care of the "Do not ask, do not tell," we are third citizens.

Peky, it was never a case of one or the other.  There was no good reason for the dems to not have advanced it, other than political game-playing.

They were not serious about the issue, or at least serious enough to bring it to a vote.