House Passes Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007
On November 7, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007. The Act, if enacted into law, would extend the protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to bar discrimination against an individual based on his/her actual or perceived sexual orientation. The bill defines “sexual orientation” to include homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality. The bill passed 234 to 184 with 14 not voting. Senator Ted Kennedy (D.-Mass.) has stated that he will introduce a verison of the bill in the Senate during this session. The White House has indicated that it will veto ENDA if it passes.
Various states and local jurisdictions already prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation. A change in the White House in 2008 may be the final piece in the puzzle for those who have advocated such protection on the federal level.
November 14th, 2007 at 10:56 am
[...] because of her sexual orientation the same week that the House of Representatives passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation across the [...]
November 14th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
[...] a thread of comments today and yesterday, we note the passing of legislation in Montgomery County, Maryland, extending protection from [...]