Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Though it seems like discrimination based on sexual orientation should be ancient history in the workplace, a bill that was first introduced in Congress in 1994--the Employment Non-Discrimination Act-- may finally pass in 2010. The bill would protect individuals from being fired or denied jobs or promotions based on their sexual orientation and now includes a provision to protect transgender people as well.
Hard to believe, isn't it. Yet there is still opposition to the bill.
Fortunately, my congressman, Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz, who is co-sponsor of the bill, sees it as an issue of fairness. Arizona is one of 29 states where employees can still be fired for their sexual orientation, he said. Unbelievable, I say.
"Why would you want to exclude anybody who is industrious, smart and could do the job? That's just crazy," he said.
President Obama has promised to sign the bill, which is expected to reach a vote in the first quarter of this year.
Fortunately, I have never seen discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and can't imagine how heartbreaking it would be. Pass the bill--finally.