"In a year of historic victories for LGBT people, this one ranks near the top." So begins the ACLU statement on passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in the Senate today.
While the people of Maine have acted to protect LGBT people from being fired or not hired based on their sexual orientation, there is no such law in the majority of states. That's why the passage of a federal bill banning such discrimination is critically importantant.
The House will be more difficult (as Speaker Boehner seems likely to stonewall), but with broad bipartisan support we are hopeful it will move forward. We are also hopeful that the bill's sponsors will act to narrow the bill's sweeping religious exemption. As currently drafted, the bill would allow religiously affiliated organizations (not just churches) to discriminate against LGBT people. The exemption could be interpreted so broadly as to include hospitals and universities.
Maine's Senator Susan Collins has been a key supporter of this long-overdue legislation, for which we are grateful. As the bill moves forward, we urge her to make sure it will protect as many LGBT people as possible.
