Labor Day and the Rights of Gay and Lesbian Workers

Today is Labor Day in the U.S. It's a day we celebrate workers and all those in the labor movement. Perhaps we should also celebrate those who are working so that gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans workers are treated fairly in the workplace. Did you know that you can still be fired for being gay, lesbian, or bisexual in 33 states? If you're transgender, only 13 states protect your employment.

Gay and lesbian activists have been pushing for federal legislation to protect GLBT workers called the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Unfortunately, when the bill was finally brought before congress for a vote, language protecting transgender workers was stripped from the bill.

The bill did pass through the House of Representatives last Fall, causing many mixed feelings in the GLBT community. On the one hand, they were glad the bill passed, on the other, without protections for trans and non-gender conforming members of our community, was it really something we should be celebrating? It is not known if the Senate will even take up the bill in the next session.

But one thing is clear. Activists in our community are working hard to ensure that ALL members of the LGBT community are protected from job discrimination.

Get Involved:

• Learn more about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
• Help pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Bill
• Are you protected in your state?

_{© Photo by Adrian van Leen}