Two steps forward seem to lead to one step back in our efforts to eradicate discrimination.
Even while Hawaii is on the cusp of becoming the 15th state to legalize gay marriage, the fate of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act remains in question.
Last week, the Senate approved ENDA by a 61-30 vote, moving to prohibit discrimination towards the LGBT community in the workplace. The bill’s importance centers around the current ability of employers in 29 states to fire an employee based solely on their sexual orientation or identity.
Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., voted in favor of ENDA. They were among only 10 Republicans who supported the bill, going against party lines and campaign promises to do so.
If you are like me — completely unaware such discrimination in the workplace was legal in the first place — passing this bill might seem to be a no-brainer. However, it is expected to fail in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which will permit discrimination against a large segment of the American population to continue.
In the last year alone, eight states (including Hawaii) have legalized same-sex marriage, yet those in the House still find it appropriate to leave these individuals’ jobs and livelihoods under threat because of their sexual orientations.
As always, business trumps civil rights in the House and may lead to a devastating lack of protection for many Americans.
"The Speaker believes this legislation will increase frivolous litigation and cost American jobs, especially small business jobs," said Michael Steel, the spokesman for Speaker of the House John Boehner.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, small businesses (those with fewer than 15 employees) will not be impacted by ENDA.
The House will likely not vote on the issue this year, sweeping under the rug another major decision. The GOP is perfectly aware of the support for the gay community in the U.S. and across the world. This is merely an attempt to divert the issue altogether and to maintain support.
However, many Americans are supportive of the initiative set forth by the Senate. According to a poll conducted by the Center for American Progress, 73 percent of Americans support the bill, while 66 percent of Republicans do.
Although support for the LGBT community appears high, it is concerning that 27 percent of Americans believe it is acceptable to discriminate against individuals because of their sexual orientations or identities.
Boehner, and every House member who votes against the bill, may one day have to answer to American citizens who lost their jobs and were unable to provide for their families because of whom they choose to love. Personally, my conscience would be unable to sustain that burden.
Culturally, we resist accepting the inevitable and allow these injustices to continue. Less than a century ago, it was acceptable to discriminate against an employee based on race, ethnicity, age, gender and disability status.
Today, many find it archaic that these were issues at all; however, we continue to allow employers and others to discriminate against the LBGT community.
The House’s responsibility is to answer to its constituents. Those constituents believe it is important to protect all Americans’ employment no matter their race, nation, creed, sexual orientation or identity.
Reach the columnist at jemeyer3@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @JordanElizaM
