LGBT Leaders Urge Congress to Act on ENDA

Mike, I know that these provisions on race, sex etc exist, but tell me have they actually worked? Because from what I have witnessed there are still many people in this category that have been discriminated, more than gays. But you are right gays are not protected, neither are people based on their eye color, left handedness, veteran status, weight, height, fashion style, haircut, political affiliation, virginity status, reading level, and on and on; how about letting businesses compete, those who are inclusive will reek the benefits of a stronger work force and wealth, does that don't will fall under.

Its funny how all of you think this will teach these bigots a thing or two. There some bigots (I will admit there many who do employ but a very very small minority) who don't get it. We as gays say not to do business with such bigot and we don't. I have followed many reasonable boycotts to that nature. There is this machine shop in Mesa AZ where this owner (a big time black religious liberal) that fired a gay man for being gay. I found out about it and evidence leaked out and once I was convinced of what transpired I canceled all of my company's account with him (nearly $450,000 worth) he is now apologizing for it and has offered the young gentleman's job back, but luckily found another job with another shop where I now opened a new account, and that shop has an ENDA policy on their own. With this federal law we wont be able to know who is a bigot and who is not, and not champion businesses who have inclusive policies. That is my problem with ENDA, the mother-ship to the rescue.

Federal law already protects people from being fired due to their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age or disability. So, technically, a white straight man is protected from being fired for being white and male. It's only fair that a gay person be protected for being fired simply for being gay. Of course, no law will prevent a bigot from firing someone... but it can provide a level of recourse. It's very difficult to justify not passing ENDA (however hard GayElephant tries).

GayElephant, it isn't your prerogative to tell me what issues to address in my posts. In my last post, I answered your direct question and disregarded the rest of your comments, because I think nearly everyone will see that they don't hang together logically or show a grasp of the relevant law or civics. You've also assumed, with no adequate basis, that I'm a liberal when in fact I'm not. It's simply untrue that "the courts" have ruled on the status needed for same-sex marriage. Most state and federal courts have not addressed that issue. I'll respond to one more of your points, because it's an egregious error if not an outright lie. ENDA has changed very little since at least June of this year, and the major change strengthens our legal standing by characterizing discrimination against us as irrational, suggesting that it doesn't meet even the lowest standard required for a legal defense. ENDA would still cover nearly every LGBT employee not already covered by similar laws.

You are correct, laws don't prevent people from being bigoted idiots. And yes, you have to provide proof it if you believe you were fired for being gay, lesbian, bi or trans. However, the fact that there are bigoted idiots is the whole reason anti-discrinimation laws are necessary. Bigotted idiots are people who need things spelled out to them. I won't disagre with you that this law won't reach out and make each of our lives better. It is simply a last possible recourse when it is actually necessary. If there were no bigoted idiots, it would not be necessary.

Dan, before we go all over the dancing floor, please take a moment and address the issues I laid out in my comment below @12:25. These are the main issues I have with ENDA. The other issue is how do you know that you were fired based on your orientation. You have to prove it. Not only that, but don't you have to prove your sexual orientation, or can a straight man say that they perceived him to be gay, or can he lied that he is gay just so he can avenge his former employers. But first address my comment below. And you do not understand how the courts work. The courts have already ruled that sexual orientation is not a status sufficient enough for same sex marriage (or what you liberals call "equality"). So i don't buy your last bid of desperation in your comment. Most of what you said is bogus anyway because the bill has changed and most if not all gays will not be affected by this law. Its only a showpiece for General Secretary Obama to shut you all up.

I didn't say the government would "prevent" discrimination against us. If ENDA passes, it will explicitly outlaw employment discrimination against LGBT people. A large majority of employers will likely comply with the law. Some won't, but we'll have recourse: we'll be able to discuss the problem informally with the EEO officer or HR department, file a complaint, have an attorney write a letter to the company, or even file a lawsuit if it comes to that. As I understand it, employers will include sexual orientation and gender identity in their EEO courses, which will have an educational effect. The law will also change the legal status of sexual orientation and gender identity, making it easier for courts to rule in our favor on other issues, such as marriage equality. It's a big improvement over living in fear of being fired, or wondering why we can't seem to find a job in spite of being well-qualified.

Mind telling me exactly how the government will "prevent" discrimination against gay people. I thought we already did a good job convincing the public that discrimination in the workplace based sexual orientation is wrong. Hence why the overwhelming majority of Americans are against such bias. That figure I give does not prove discrimination, it only further proves how government has failed to create jobs, and how gays are dependent on the mother-ship and the hand-out machine. Why is it assumed that the government can solve all of our problems instead of people and businesses? I mean look at everything that government has tried to do... point at something that the government was SO successful at that now every American benefits from?

Mind telling me exactly how the government will "prevent" discrimination against gay people. I thought we already did a good job convincing the public that discrimination in the workplace based sexual orientation is wrong. Hence why the overwhelming majority of Americans are against such bias. That figure I give does not prove discrimination, it only further proves how government has failed to create jobs, and how gays are dependent on the mother-ship and the hand-out machine. Why is it assumed that the government can solve all of our problems instead of people and businesses? I mean look at everything that government has tried to do... point at something that the government was SO successful at that now every American benefits from?

GayElephant, is that a rhetorical question? ENDA would improve all our lives by ensuring that we, our friends, or our loved ones can't be legally fired or denied employment just because we're GLBT. An unemployment rate of 28% in the gay community is even more reason that we shouldn't be fired by some bigot. Workplace discrimination is the basis for that astronomical rate.