WASHINGTON– The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest civil rights organization advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, issued the following statement today thanking Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives for their efforts to advance the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

“We appreciate the leadership of Leader Pelosi and Congressman Polis in seeking every possible avenue to advance ENDA in the House this year, “said David Stacy, HRC’s Government Affairs Director.  “No American should be denied a job opportunity, fired, or discriminated against just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. With an overwhelming two-thirds of American voters, including a strong majority of Republicans, supporting a federal law that protects LGBT people from workplace discrimination, this is clearly an issue lawmakers from both parties can support.  Speaker Boehner should bring ENDA to the floor for a vote.”

ENDA would provide millions of LGBT people in all 50 states explicit, reliable protections from discrimination in the workplace. According to a September 2013 poll by Republican pollster Alex Lundry, supermajorities of Republicans and Democrats back a federal law protecting LGBT Americans from workplace discrimination. More than 100 major businesses and Fortune 500 companies in HRC’s Business Coalition for Workplace Equality support ENDA. In November of 2013, the Senate passed ENDA with strong bipartisan support in a vote of 64 to 32.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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