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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2009)
WAO W W W JU STO UT.C O M AUGUST 7 2009 NORTHWEST NEWS New Chopter for EN DA Senator Jeff Merkley Leads Employment Non-Discrimination Act to Senate B y RYAN J. P R A D O On the morning of August 5, it was announced that Oregon’s junior Senator, Democrat Jeff Merkley, along with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), and Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), in troduced a gender identity-inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the United States Senate. The introduction of the bill marks the first time that the ENDA has been placed before the Senate with transgender protection, in addition to protection in employment for the nation’s gay, lesbian and bisexual community. The bill would prohibit discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and disability, and would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing federal employment non-discrimina tion laws. “Those of us who are championing this bill feel that discrimination in employment is absolutely wrong,” Merkley told Just Out. “If you’re going to have equality under the law, people have to have the ability to work.” Merkley has been taken under the wing of fellow Democrat Edward Kennedy, who has long been a supporter of equal rights to same-sex couples. Kennedy took an early Calvo. “They’re significant version of the ENDA to steps in a long process. We the Senate, without gender all want these things now, identity included, in 1995, we all acknowledge that they 2001, and again in 2003 to probably should have hap the Senate Committee on pened years ago. I do think Health, Education, Labor, that we’ll probably see a vote and Pensions. Massachusetts on these important bills in Democratic Representative congress this session.” Barney Frank also brought a Merkley was key to get similar bill to the Senate in ting the Oregon Equality Act 2007, but in each case, the passed in 2007, which banned bill died. discrimination on the basis of However, Merkley feels sexual orientation and gender that an evolving social view Attitudes have been identity in housing and in the of gay, lesbian and transgen c h a n g in g steadily a n d workplace in Oregon, with der discrimination in the it's tim e for us to ca tch state-granted rights, immu workplace provides positive up says O regon Sen Jeff M erkley o f the g e n d e r nities and benefits. The bill momentum to pass the bill. id e n tit/-in c lu s iv e version also expanded hate crimes to “I am absolutely thrilled o f the E m ploym ent Non- include gender identity. that Kennedy’s team reached D iscrim inatlon Act he s out to me and asked me to Recently, Merkley com c h a m p io n in g in the US Senate mended the adoption of carry the baton forward,” said Merkley. “I’m delighted the Matthew Shepard Hate that we were able to launch this in a biparti Crimes Prevention Act as it passed the Sen sanship manner with both Collins and Snowe ate in July. That bill, another championed by signing on, and I think that the time is now.” Senator Kennedy, is going through United Democratic Party of Oregon leader Laura States conference committees to combine Calvo echoed Merkley’s enthusiasm for an the passed Senate and House bills, which then go to President Barack Obama to sign ENDA victory in the Senate. “I see a lot of positive indicators,” said into law or veto. 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Wendy Johnson, DVM Call me anytime for an in home proposal. ------ Human Rights Campaign co-founder Terry Bean acknowledged his support upon the announcement of Merkley’s leadership on the ENDA bill as well. “I’m very proud that Senator Merkley is going to take the lead on this,” said Bean. “In order to get bills passed, you need to have a lead co-sponsor who’s really willing to make it a high priority and not just put their name on it. Jeff is somebody I know will put a high priority on this historic bill.” Merkley noted that since the ENDA bill has not been introduced to the Senate for nearly three years, the next step is to re-publi- cize the issue of employment discrimination, and for the bill's lead sponsors to hold dia logue with colleagues and various gay rights advocacy groups to develop a strategy. “I would be thrilled if we could get this done in this legislative cycle,” said Merkley. “Attitudes have been changing steadily, and it’s time for us to catch up,” he continued. “More than 400 of the Fortune 500 compa nies have implemented non-discrimination policies with regard to sexual orientation. Many business groups that are not outright supportive have said that they will be neutral in this discussion. 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