The Bilerico Project | Daily experiments in LGBTQ

Congress is back in business today after the Easter recess, and action is starting on one of the major stated goals of our movement: the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would finally stop overt job discrimination against LGBT people. A whip count is starting on ENDA today to ensure that we have the votes to pass the US House of Representatives. Call your Rep right now at 202-224-3121 to demand an inclusive ENDA with gender identity protections.

Remember what happened the last time a whip count proceeded on ENDA? It was September, 2007.

In the crunch - the official Whip count taken in contemplation of the bill - it became very clear that while we would retain a significant majority of Democrats, we would lose enough so that a bill that included transgender protection would lose if not amended, and that an anti-transgender amendment would pass.

--Guest post on ENDA from Congressman Barney Frank
September 28, 2007 5:45 PM

Quoting Kerry Eleveld of the Advocate: It's do-or-die time for ENDA. Here's some things you should know about the political process.

THREE REASONS TO CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE RIGHT NOW

1. Now is the time we've all been demanding lo these many years. We are on the cusp of showing our national power as a community -- or showing our lack of it.

2. Representatives need to know that ENDA-lite is not enough. In 2007, ENDA passed without gender-identity protections because too many Representatives were afraid. Then, and only then, did the LGBT community stand up and shout "No!" We created a nasty fight within our own community and within the Democratic Party -- and rightly so. But the time to avoid having gender identity protection cut out of ENDA is N-O-W. Not after it's too late.

3. Representatives have short memories. They won't remember that a lot of people called last month, or last year. The only thing that will assure them of community support for an inclusive ENDA is your phone call now.

I'll be discussing this today as I guest host the Michelangelo Signorile show on Sirius XM's OutQ 109. Click here to learn more about the show and how you can listen for free on the internet.