On September 9th, a protest took place in San Francisco demanding the US government pass Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Several protesters were arrested for blocking traffic at the corner of Market and Castro Streets.

If passed, ENDA would protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination in the workplace for civilian, non-religious companies with over 15 employees, as well as federal, state and local governments, unions and employment agencies.

Currently, it's legal in 29 states to fire someone solely because they are lesbian, gay or bisexual. And in 38 states, it's legal to fire someone solely for being transgender. Even in San Francisco, transgender workers face profound employment challenges and discrimination. A 2006 study by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and the Transgender Law Center found that 60 percent of transgender people in San Francisco earn less than $15,300 per year, only 25 percent have a full-time job, and nearly nine percent have no source of income.

Photos | Previous Coverage: LGBT Activists Push on Pelosi to Pass ENDA | LGBT Groups Rally for ENDA | Pass ENDA Protest | Protest Targets HRC's Stand on Gender Identity in ENDA | Activists Mobilizing To Keep Transgendered Protections in ENDA