Pres. Obama Urges Passage of ENDA in Op-Ed

With the imminent passage of ENDA in the United States Senate, President Barack Obama has added his political clout to the idea that there should be a law prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the United States.

Here in the United States, we're united by a fundamental principle: we're all created equal and every single American deserves to be treated equally in the eyes of the law. We believe that no matter who you are, if you work hard and play by the rules, you deserve the chance to follow your dreams and pursue your happiness. That's America's promise. 

That's why, for instance, Americans can't be fired from their jobs just because of the color of their skin or for being Christian or Jewish or a woman or an individual with a disability. That kind of discrimination has no place in our nation. And yet, right now, in 2013, in many states a person can be fired simply for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. 

As a result, millions of LGBT Americans go to work every day fearing that, without any warning, they could lose their jobs -- not because of anything they've done, but simply because of who they are. 

It's offensive. It's wrong. And it needs to stop, because in the United States of America, who you are and who you love should never be a fireable offense. 

That's why Congress needs to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, also known as ENDA, which would provide strong federal protections against discrimination, making it explicitly illegal to fire someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

This bill has strong bipartisan support and the support of a vast majority of Americans. It ought to be the law of the land.

It is exciting to see that the President of the United States is willing to use his political capital to support  a change that has long been a goal of the LGBT equality movement.