Demand a Transgender-Inclusive ENDA

We are disturbed that the Congressional leadership has decided to eliminate transgender people from the latest version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). LGBT organizations and allies have been working for years to pass a bill that protects gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees alike. The decision to split the bill into two new pieces of legislation one for sexual orientation and another for gender identity threatens to divide our community.

We oppose any version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that does not include both sexual orientation and gender identity. Transgender people are among the most marginalized and vulnerable groups within the LGBT community. In a 2006 survey of transgender people conducted by the Transgender Law Center, 57\% reported being discriminated against in employment and 60\% earned less than $15,300 per year. The entire country has an interest in seeing the transgender community thrive in the national economy. Without protection against discrimination, that is nearly impossible.

We commend you on your history of service to the LGBT community. We now call upon you to remain consistent in your efforts to help the entire LGBT community. Please stay true to your commitment to an ENDA that includes both gender identity and sexual orientation.