Employee Non-Discrimination Act Hearing

As a transsexual woman I can directly attest to the need of this legislation. I can directly relate to the fear of losing a job, or not even having a chance for one, because of my gender identity as well as the limiting nature of this fear on my current job search (I’ve been unemployed for 9 months).
I’d like to remind the members of the committee that nondiscrimination laws that includes protections for sexual orientation as well as gender identity and expression have been in place in 13 states and almost 100 other municipalities starting in 1976. In those 33 years not one instance of the dire predictions of the opponents of this bill have ever come to pass. This bill needs to become law now. Thank you.

Dear Committe Members,

I saw that you have invited Craig Parshall to testify before the Committee tomorrow on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. I would like to remind you of your oath to uphold the Constitution, especially the first amendment, separating church and state.

As a member of the clergy, I feel no threat whatsoever from ENDA. Instead I feel relief that my LGBT congregants will be able to live and work in a fairer world. Such legislation is badly needed if we are to hold ourselves as a meritocracy nation. There is no judgment of merit in firing or harassing an employee for their sexual orientation or gender expression. It is purely hatred that fuels such actions, and it ruins the lives of those it targets.

We cannot, as a nation, tolerate such spiritual violence.

I strongly urge the members of the House Education and Labor Committee to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. It cannot be right that in a modern democracy it is legal to discriminate against employees - as it currently is in way too many states. In general, sensible employers know that any hint of discrimination on any arbitrary basis is bad personnel practice and hinders recruitment. However not all employers are sensible, and some employers are only too willing to discriminate. This bill provides protections for employees across the board, and is very necessary.

I encourage all representatives to support this gender identity-inclusive ENDA.

For those who will not support any version of ENDA, based on the erroneous notion that sexual orientation and gender identity are choices, I have a question: Do you also oppose statutory anti-discrimination provisions which prohibit discrimination based on traits which unquestionably are based on personal choices - such as religion?

I am glad that this bill is being presented.

It is simply unjust that some Americans are handed their rights while others have to build cases like these in order to explain why they should be treated like equal human beings with the same unalienable rights.

This is an issue that affects everyone, not simply the LGBT portion of the population. How many women have questioned their attire before showing up in the morning based on favoritism in their work environment? How many men were passed over for promotion because they didn't fraternize in "boy's club" activities? This is also part of "gender presentation," and identifying with a certain, exaggerated group. It's happened to me.

Fairness and equality are founding principles of American freedom. The phrasing is, "for all," not, "for some, but not for others." Regardless of a representative's personal moral or religious issues, everyone has to share this world, and thus everyone should be treated with the same amount of dignity.

Mr. Barber - Committee rules allow the minority to invite a witness to hearings. Mr. Parshall is the invited guest of the Republicans on the Committee.

Funny, when I go to work, I go to work as a human being - my sexual orientation does not enter in by way of my speech, dress, attitude, conversation or any other way. My boss pays me to WORK - not make judgments about anyone or anything - I am there to service my customer and do the best job I was hired for and, guess what, if I don't excel at my position, he has every right to fire me!!! Give me a break!!!

Dear Chairman Miller and Members of the Committee,

Thank you for holding this historic and critical hearing. Employment discrimination based on gender identity and/or sexual orientation is simply Un-American. I urge you to pass this legislation as quickly as possibly. Ending workplace discrimination will benefit employers and employees alike.

Committee Members,

As a direct provider in health care to the transgender community, I witness first hand the affects of high rates of unemployment and discrimination in hiring that most of my clients face every day. I have to put them on uninsured, no income county plans in order to get healthcare. In today’s economy, it makes more sense to remove barriers to employment than to add them or keep existing ones in place. My clients want to work. They are transgender, not unskilled. It is the lack of workplace protections that keep them unemployed and impacting there quality of life. I am also transgender and a mother of 3. My employers value all of me and the skills I bring to the job.

Committee members may you find the strength and courage to continue to move this country towards equality for all.I believe if the founding Fathers were alive today and viewed modern scientific research without a doubt they would support enda.Please leave the religious arguments where they belong in churches not in government or involving my employment opportunities.

To the Committee -- I too have been the victim of discrimination based on my gender identity.
I worked at a radio station and was denied promotions, had my hours and duties drastically cut, and was finally forced to quit in 1995 -- all because of my wishes to transition from male to female.

I ask the members of the committee to vote for the bill and put EDNA (*with* gender identity included!) finally on the floor of the House, and eventual signing into law by President Obama!