Rep. Baldwin Testifies Before Congress Regarding Employment Non-Discrimination Act

09/23/09-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
“As many of my colleagues know, twenty-five years ago, my own state of Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to add sexual orientation to its anti-discrimination statutes. At the time – and this was in 1982 – only 41 municipalities and 8 counties in the entire United States offered limited protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation,” this was from the testimony offered by Representative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin with regards to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Rep. Baldwin is openly lesbian, and one of three openly gay or lesbian people in the Congress. Of five hundred thirty-eight individuals, only three come from the LGBT minority.

Today was the first full day of testimony regarding ENDA. Should the bill pass, it makes the firing of an individual on the grounds specifically relating to sexuality, gender identity, and disability for any non-religious employer with more than fifteen employees.

The bill has a great deal of support, but it also has some resistance. The initial resistance to the bill, that of it conflicting with religious beliefs, was eliminated through the addition of an amendment which made it possible for religious organizations such as Christian bookstores and churches will not face problems with not hiring gays, lesbians, or transpeople. Most of the current attacks on this is that it creates a protected group which promotes a homosexual ‘agenda’.

The video that follows covers the majority of Rep. Baldwin’s testimony today regarding ENDA.