The Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) today. From the Washington Post:
The Senate passed historic gay rights legislation Thursday to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the workplace, another victory for the gay rights movement that has been gaining favor in the courts and electoral politics.
The vote marked the first time lawmakers had approved legislation to advance gay rights since repealing the military’s ban on gay men and lesbians in uniform in late 2010 and came two days after Illinois became the 15th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Just four months ago the U.S. Supreme Court sanctioned federal recognition of legally married gay couples.
“Let freedom ring,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the bill’s chief sponsor, said shortly before the vote.
But the measure faces a steep uphill climb in a Republican-controlled House still dominated by social conservatives. Top GOP leaders consider the measure written so broadly as to invite a fresh wave of litigation against employers and unnecessary because of existing federal, state and private workplace protections.
Read full story here.