House Reps to Introduce ENDA Today

Rep. Barney Frank and colleagues will introduce the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the House on Wednesday -- a bill that Frank described in a statement as a "difficult but winnable fight."

The prospects of the bill, which would expand federal employment antidiscrimination laws to cover sexual orientation and gender identity, are bleak in the current Republican-controlled House, though Frank said that the bill is an "important vehicle" for "a serious lobbying effort."

Frank will be joined by representatives Jared Polis and George Miller in introducing the legislation Wednesday.

The press release from Frank's office:

WASHINGTON -- On Wednesday morning, March 30th, Congressman Barney Frank and other prominent Members of the House of Representatives will make an important announcement about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

The legislation would extend federal employment laws, which currently prevent job discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability, to also cover sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill applies both to the public and private sectors.

On the night before the event, Frank said that "passing an inclusive ENDA is a difficult but winnable fight -- winnable if supported by a serious lobbying effort. The bill we are about to introduce provides an important vehicle for that effort."

Although some states have passed laws to prevent such discrimination, it is legal in 29 states to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, and legal in 38 states to discriminate on the basis of gender identity. According to research by the Williams Institute, there is an ongoing pattern of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity nationwide.