FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sean Carlson | 202.550.2315 | scarlson@familyequality.org
Senate Passes Employment Non-Discrimination Act
Washington DC- (Nov. 7, 2013) – Family Equality Council, the national organization that supports, connects and represents the three million parents in our country who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and their six million children today celebrated the historic passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in the U.S. Senate. The passage marks the first time the legislation has received a vote in the upper chamber since the legislation was first introduced in 1994 and the first the bill has passed either chamber with explicit protections based on gender identity and expression.
“This is an extraordinary victory for families all over the United States,” said Gabriel Blau, Executive Director. “Today the Senate confirmed what an overwhelming majority of Americans believe – that no American worker should have to fear losing their livelihood because of who they are or who they love.”
“This is a family issue,” added Blau. “Raising a happy, healthy family is hard enough without fearing that you could lose your job because of who you are. By passing this Bill, the Senate has sent a clear message to families all over the country – the days of living without basic employment protections and living in fear of losing your job are drawing to an end.”
Today marks the first time the legislation has received a floor vote in the U.S. Senate since it’s first introduction in 1994.
Currently there are 29 states without protections for workers who are LGBT, and an additional 4 states without protections for transgender workers.
More information about how the passage of ENDA impacts LGBT families can be found at https://dev-fec.pantheonsite.io/get_informed/advocacy/employment/employment_non_discrimination_act/