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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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. So I think the tide is mov
ing in our favor.” vMl
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