ENDA passes House, but transgendered feel betrayed

By Karyn Chenoweth Nov 8, 2007, 15:20 GMT

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. USA on 30 October 2007. Pelosi discussed the need for tighter regulation and more inspection for toys. EPA/STEFAN ZAKLIN

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has passed the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday by a slim 235-184 margin.

The majority of the bill's opponents argue that it would require socially conservative nonprofits to keep employees who come out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual--though religious nonprofits are exempted.

The bill's opponents are more concerned about the absence of language protecting transgender employees from discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

The bill will almost certainly pass the Senate--a 1996 version of the ENDA, proposed in a Republican-controlled Senate, failed by only one vote.

Because the House did not approach the 280-vote margin needed to override a presidential veto, the fate of the bill rests in the hands of President Bush.

If Bush signs the bill, then it will make ENDA as the most significant federal gay rights bill made into law.

The bill does not protect transgendered.

On Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, applauded the bill, saying discrimination has no place in America.

"As someone who has looked forward to this day, it is a joyous occasion," she said, but added that she shared the disappointment that transgender workers were not included.