LGBT Communities Applaud Senate Committee’s Action on Employment Anti-Discrimination Law
The United States Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) Committee approved an enhanced version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which will prevent employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) communities are applauding the Senate Committee’s steps to protect their rights and ensure a safe and non-hostile work environment. This action by the US Senate HELP Committee comes after months and months of petitioning by the LGBT communities to improve the existing employment anti-discrimination laws that are in place.
The Current Anti-Discrimination Laws
Currently, as the national employment anti-discrimination law stands, employers are prohibited from discriminating against workers on the basis of national origin, sex, religion, race, age, and disability, but not from sexual orientation or gender discrimination. There are, however, a few states that do extend anti-discrimination protections to the LGBT communities. So what does this mean to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals? It means that currently there is very little protection to those workers discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender; therefore, LGBT individuals can be discriminated against in their workplace simply for being LGBT with no real penalty or enforceable anti-discrimination law.
Bill Moves On To The Senate
Now that the United States Senate HELP Committee has approved the revised version (S 815) of the ENDA, the bill will pass to the full senate to be voted upon before moving on to the House of Representatives. It is the hope of many that a ‘new and improved’ employment anti-discrimination law will be approved unanimously (or at least by a significant majority) and take effect over the ensuing months.
The controversial issue of sexual orientation and gender discrimination is no new issue, however, and remains a topic of conversation worldwide, not just in the States. LGBT and non-LGBT alike have shown support for an inclusive ENDA to provide strong and lasting protections against discrimination in the workplace and the public looks to the Senate to fulfill such needed provisions. Eyes now eagerly look to Senate to propel this movement forward on a path to reality.
Questions
New York has state laws protecting these characteristics but a federal law will provide even more protection. For questions or to discuss a potential lawsuit or claim, contact our New York Discrimination Lawyers.