New York, N.Y., November 7, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed approval of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) by the House of Representatives.  The measure, which would extend legal protections from employment discrimination to gays and lesbians, was approved by a vote of 235-184.  It was the first time the House approved the legislation; the Senate defeated the measure by a single vote in 1996.

Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

Our nation has taken an important step forward toward equality of opportunity with approval of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act by the House of Representatives.  ADL firmly believes 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.  No one should be dismissed from a job solely because of his or her sexual orientation.

Unfortunately, in more than half the states, it is not illegal to fire someone simply because that person is a gay man or a lesbian.  Support for ENDA sends an important message to all Americans that sexual orientation discrimination will not be tolerated in the workplace.

ENDA would extend federal employment discrimination protections to those denied equal employment opportunities based on sexual orientation.  ENDA does not create any special rights for gays and lesbians, but simply extends existing federal employment discrimination protections based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age and disability to include sexual orientation.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.