Tammy Baldwin: “In the United States, the law forbids discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's race, color, sex, religion…”

“In the United States, the law forbids discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's race, color, sex, religion or national origin. It forbids discrimination based on age or disability, perceived or real. These protections were not easy to achieve, but we are better for them. Today, ENDA seeks to expand the law to prohibit job discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation, and my amendment would also include gender identity. We have worked steadily over the years to rid our Nation of irrational hate and fear against gay and transgender Americans that too often results in violent hate crimes, ostracism, bullying and discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations or education. Today, at least 282 cities and towns and 19 States across the country have protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation in both public and private sector jobs. And more than 93 local jurisdictions in 11 States have laws that include protections based on gender identity. 195 American businesses employing more than 8.3 million American workers have exemplary policies that protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors; 58 percent of these firms provide employment protections on the basis of gender identity. It is time for Congress to catch up to our communities and American businesses.”