Gender Inclusive ENDA

There was an AP article in the New York Times yesterday about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). According to the article the bill has picked up some key supports on both sides of the aisle…

New Impetus for Bill Banning Anti-Gay Bias at Work
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: August 27, 2009

Momentum is building for Congress to pass the first major civil rights act protecting gays and transsexuals, supporters say, and one of the stars in the debate is a barrier-breaking transgender staffer on Capitol Hill.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, would prohibit workplace discrimination -- including decisions about hiring, firing and wages -- based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It would exempt religious organizations, the military and businesses with less than 15 workers.

According to the article, the change in the bill chances of passing was brought about by…

--Barack Obama is now president, and is on record supporting ENDA. A veto was considered possible if the 2007 bill had reached then-President George W. Bush.

--ENDA's core supporters, including Frank, have agreed they will push only for a bill that includes gender identity.

--The bill has picked up key support in the Senate, where it was introduced earlier this month by Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley and Maine Republicans Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe. Even without other GOP senators, Merkley believes it has a good chance of obtaining the 60 votes that likely will be needed to pass the Senate.
…
There is another difference from 2007. Frank [Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. the bills sponsor in the House] now has a policy adviser who is a female-to-male transsexual. Diego Sanchez is the first transgender person hired for a senior congressional staff position on Capitol Hill.

However, notice what the bill does not say, there is no references in the bill about insurance coverage nor about accommodations (bathrooms, lockers, showers, etc.). Are we still going to be denied medical coverage that both the AMA and the APA say is a medical necessity? Will we have to sit with our legs crossed all day?

Connecticut both senators and all of the representatives support the bill, so send them a thank you email.