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Content about 111th United States Congress

April 25, 2013
After languishing for decades, ENDA introduced once again in US Congress

Proposed act would ban job discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity

The proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which has long languished in the US C0ngress, was introduced again on Thursday (25 April) by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

Among the co-sponsors optimistic of the bill's chances is Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley (pictured) who believes the timing may finally be right for passage.

March 20, 2013
More than 100 members of congress pressure Obama to sign executive order for ENDA

Act prohibits federal contractors from LGBT discrimination in workplace

President Barack Obama is facing increased pressure to take matters into his hands when it comes to the long-stalled Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

Obama received a letter on Wednesday (20 March) from 110 members of the US Congress asking him to sign ENDA into law by executive order rather than hoping a Republican-led House of Representatives will ever pass it.

Obama has said previously that he supports ENDA but would like to see it passed by Congress in much the same way the end of the anti-gay military policy Don't Ask Don't Tell was handled.

March 8, 2013
Colorado civil unions bill heading to full House for vote

Clears third and final committee hurdle in bipartisan 9-4 vote

A civil unions bill passed through its third and final committee vote today in the Colorado House of Representatives and will next go before the full House for a vote next week.

The bill was passed in bipartisan 9-4 vote by the House Appropriations Committee. Two days earlier, it narrowly cleared the House Finance Committee. The House Judiciary Committee approved it last week.

March 7, 2013
Murder of gay Mississippi mayoral candidate to be investigated by FBI

Federal government could bring hate crime charges to high-profile case

The FBI is getting involved in the murder investigation of Marco McMillian, a gay mayoral candidate in Mississippi who was murdered last week.

The agency 'will assess evidence to determine whether federal prosecution is appropriate,' Deborah Madden, an FBI public affairs specialist, tells USA Today.

A 22-year-old man named Lawrence Reedhas been charged with McMillian's murder. The victim's family says McMillian was beaten, dragged and set afire.

February 14, 2013
Pressure increasing on Obama to sign Employment Non-Discrimination Act by executive order

Group of US senators send letter to president to end stalemate on ENDA

It's clear President Barack Obama is in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) but he wants to see it passed by US Congress in the same way the repeal of the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell was during his first term in office.

But LGBT groups and now a group of 37 US senators are putting pressure on Obama to take action now to protect the employment rights of LGBT people by issuing an executive order to add sexual orientation and gender identity to other long-standing federal anti-discrimination protections.

February 12, 2013
US senator promises long-awaited vote on ENDA

Tom Harkin says  Employment Non-Discrimination Act  'will move this year'

For decades, the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has languished in the US C0ngress.

But Iowa Senator Tom Harkin on Tuesday (12 February) promised at least a vote for that ENDA, which would establish protections nationally to prevent employers from discriminating against an employee because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Harkin made the pledge at an event held at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC saying that ENDA 'will move this year.'

February 10, 2013
Activists to protest Obama's failed promise to end workplace discrimination

GetEQUAL will stage a demonstration outside the White House today to demand LGBT protections in the workplace
 

An LGBT rights group is protesting President Obama's failure to enact LGBT workplace protections.

Civil rights organization GetEQUAL is staging a demonstration on the south side of the White House tonight at 6 PM Eastern Time, just two days before Obama's annual State of the Union Address during which he may address laws he wants passed in his second term in a speech given directly to both houses of the US legislature. 

December 27, 2012
Third Republican member of US House of Reps publicly supports gay marriage

Charles Bass of New Hampshire wants Defense of Marriage Act repealed

Already defeated for reelection, US Congressman Charles Bass of New Hampshire became the third Republican in the US House of Representatives to break ranks with the party by supporting gay marriage.

Bass has agreed to co-sponsor the the Respect for Marriage Act which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act that currently bans federal benefits from going to married same-sex couples in the US.

December 5, 2012
Polish man wins case against supermarket for anti-gay discrimination

A court in Gorzow Wiekopolski, Poland, has ordered a supermarket to pay a former employee damages for anti-gay discrimination

Netto, a Danish-owned supermarket chain, was instructed to pay former till-attendant Ireneusz Muzalski 18,000 zloty (€ 4,400  US$ 5,770), as well as court costs.

Muzalski, a 44 year-old man, was employed at the Netto branch in Slubice, lying on Poland’s border with Germany, reported Radio Poland.

According to him, his manager subjected him to continuous anti-gay verbal abuse.

July 30, 2012
Barney Frank confirms gay marriage will be part of Democratic Party Platform

Openly gay US congressman: 'We are including marriage equality with my full support'

The Democratic Party will officially endorse same-sex marriage at its national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina in early September.

Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank, who married his longtime partner earlier this summer, confirmed on Monday (30 July) that marriage equality will be included among the Democrats other pro-LGBT platform positions.

April 12, 2012
Obama disappoints gay leaders on workplace discrimination

US President will not be signing executive order banning discrimination against LGBT people

President Barack Obama does not plan to sign an executive order barring workplace discrimination against LGBT people in the near future.

Several LGBT leaders, who have been pushing hard for the executive order, were part of a high-level meeting at The White House this week and came away disappointed to not have a commitment from Obama on the issue.

February 5, 2012
Will Obama ban LGBT discrimination among federal contractors?

Memo spells out how executive order can stop discrimination among federal contractors

Although President Barack Obama has an impressive record on LGBT rights, he does not grandstand the topic. Others in his administration make speeches on gay rights --- specially Secretary of State Hillary Clinton --- and he still is committed to civil unions (although he maintains his position on same sex marriage is 'evolving').

January 12, 2012
Nancy Pelosi defends Barney Frank, slams gay Republicans

Minority Leader of U.S. House of Reps says GOP treats gays with disrespect

If you want to set Nancy Pelosi off, ask her about gay Republicans who are critical of gay Democratic Congressman Barney Frank.

'He chooses a party that supports his values,' she tells The Advocate in a new cover story. 'They've chosen a party that supports their income — a party that denigrates them and treats them with disrespect.'