New York, NY, September 23, 2009 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed today's House Education and Labor Committee hearings on HR 3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (ENDA).
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), would extend existing federal protections from employment discrimination to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.
The League, which wrote a letter to committee members in support of the legislation, issued the following statement:
We welcome these committee hearings on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). In 2009, it is unacceptable that, in more than half the states, it is not illegal to fire someone simply because of that person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Support for ENDA sends an important message to all Americans that this form of discrimination will not be tolerated in the workplace.
Opinion polls demonstrate that the American people support equal treatment in the workplace, and the vast majority of Fortune 500 companies have policies protecting gay employees from discrimination.
We strongly believe that employment decisions such as hiring, firing, promotion and compensation should be based on merit, performance and ability – and never on the basis of an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity.
