Senator Murray Co-Sponsors Legislation to End Employment Discrimination

(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) co-sponsored the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill to finally prohibit job discrimination
based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“No
one should have to face discrimination in the workplace. That’s why I’m
proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation,” said Senator Patty Murray. “The Employment
Non-Discrimination Act will demand employers evaluate the performance of an
employee on the basis of their work, not their sexual orientation.”

The
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2011 would prohibit employers, employment
agencies, labor organizations and joint labor-management committees from firing,
refusing to hire, or discriminating against those employed or seeking
employment, on the basis of their perceived or actual sexual orientation or
gender identity.  Such protections are already in place prohibiting
discrimination based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and
disability.