HRC: Only
Trans-Inclusive ENDA Will Do

The Human Rights Campaign adopted a policy statement on Wednesday that says the group will not support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act if it excludes protections for transgender individuals. The statement was approved by the HRC board of directors in Washington, D.C. "It's the policy of HRC that the organization will only support an inclusive ENDA," says the statement. It calls the organization's previous decision to support an ENDA without transgender protections a "one-time exception." HRC received heavy criticism in 2007 when it opted to support a version of ENDA that only included protections for sexual orientation, and not gender identity. Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives at the time said they did not have the votes to pass a trans-inclusive ENDA. "We will not support such a strategy again," says the statement. "We look forward to Congress sending President Obama a fully inclusive ENDA for his signature." ENDA passed the House without transgender protections in 2007, but the Senate failed to vote on it. No vote or debate on the measure is scheduled yet this year.