As the U.S. House nears a vote (finally) on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), it’s important to address a question that some Republicans are surely asking themselves–why support this bill?

There are libertarian-leaning Republicans in particular who argue that Americans should have no use for bills like ENDA that propose government solutions for private problems like discrimination.  The folks who make this argument may, in fact, be sympathetic to cases of unjust firings and blatant discrimination.  They just don’t feel like the government should take a stand on it.  Well, here’s why they’re wrong.

We live in a society, for better or worse, that depends on the federal government to regulate countless practices in the private sector–from working conditions to, yes, discrimination.  Currently, workplace protections exist for such factors as gender, sex, religion, etc., but not sexual orientation or gender identity.  If opponents of ENDA want to argue that we should go back and erase ALL protections, as well as rejecting ENDA, then at least they would be consistent.

However, most opponents of ENDA are perfectly happy to keep in place the federal government ban on discrimination based on other factors–while labeling a further protection for gays and lesbians unnecessary.  These opponents of ENDA include some gays and lesbians themselves.

In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need ENDA.  However, we don’t live in a perfect world.  We live in a world where many employers (in 30 states, as a matter of fact) can actually fire or refuse to hire someone based on sexual orientation–real or perceived.

It’s important, particularly for those of us sitting in major metropolises like Washington, DC, to remember that for many Americans, employment protection is a very basic and crucial thing.  It isn’t a luxery or a “feel good” bill.  It’s a matter of putting food on the table or not.  We live in a system that currently protects nearly every class of Americans, except LGBT Americans.  That is wrong.

An overwhelming 77% of Republicans believe an employer should not have the right to fire an employee based solely on their sexual orientation.  Even among social conservatives, 67% don’t believe an employer should be able to fire someone for being gay.  (According to findings by leading Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio)

PASS ENDA NOW.

-posted by Scott Tucker