HRC Adopts Policy Supporting Modernized Workplace Legislation

For Immediate Release:
Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN ADOPTS POLICY SUPPORTING MODERNIZED WORKPLACE LEGISLATION

'We are strongest as a community when we are united and that's why we need the strongest and most unifying protections,' said Cheryl Jacques, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors today adopted a policy to support a modernized version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

The updated language includes gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation to ensure that every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender American is protected from employment discrimination.

"Passage of ENDA is a brass ring for our community and we're making it clear that it must have the strongest teeth possible to protect everyone," said Tim Boggs, co-chair of the HRC Board.

The Board of Directors voted to adopt the following resolution: "The Human Rights Campaign adopts a policy that we will only support ENDA if it is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression."

HRC took this step to ensure that ENDA will provide real protection to incidents of workplace discrimination. Attorneys who specialize in civil rights laws believe that ENDA without gender identity and expression explicitly stated may not adequately address discrimination against gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans who are often singled out because they're viewed as not conforming to gender norms.

"I am very proud that HRC continues to lead on issues of importance to everyone in our community, including on workplace discrimination," said Gwen Baba, co-chair of the HRC Board of Directors.

"We are strongest as a community when we are united and that's why we need the strongest and most unifying protections," said Cheryl Jacques, president of HRC. "The staff of the Human Rights Campaign will continue to work tirelessly to enact this comprehensive ENDA."

ENDA was introduced in 1994 and barely lost a Senate vote in 1996.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.