The Employment Non-Discrimination Act passed the House of Representatives on November 7, 2007 with a vote of 235 to 184.

The Knoxville News Sentinel states:

Passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act came despite protests from some gay rights supporters that the bill does not protect transgender workers. That term covers transsexuals, cross-dressers and others whose outward appearance does not match their gender at birth. The measure would make it illegal for employers to make decisions about hiring, firing, promoting or paying an employee based on sexual orientation. It would exempt churches and the military.

I’m personally excited to see this bill make it this far. However, it still has to pass the Senate as well as President Bush, so I’m not expecting it to make it into law until the new Congress convenes with elections next fall. One important point here is the fact that gender has been ignored in this version of the bill. While it would make me very happy to have sexual orientation added to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, it will still ignore those in the LGBT community which feel confined by traditional gender roles.

I’m interested to hear other people’s opinions on the exclusion of gender identity in the ENDA bill. In the student organization I’m involved with in on campus, we are struggling amongst ourselves for our group policy on the matter and how to pursue it in the University. Anyone with past experience, etc, it would be great to hear what you have to say.