Spring Break
Questioning Slanted Equality
Courtney, Panel Discuss Incomplete Non-Discrimination Act
Heather Murdock
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: News
A rainbow flag waved outside the Dodd Center on Saturday afternoon. A small amount of snow was still frozen on the ground, and six protesters in heavy coats handed out flyers that said, "HRC [Human Rights Campaign]: Your vision of equality only extends as far as your nose."
These protesters, however, did not stay out in the cold. When the UConn Town Hall Forum on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (EDNA) began, they came in to hear what the four member panel and Rep. Joseph Courtney (D-Conn.) had to say.
The forum, according to Matt Blinstrubas, who planned the event with Human Rights Campaign representative Brian Rice, was intended to be a constructive discussion about the ENDA controversy that has divided the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community across the country.
"It was the beginning of a conversation that needs to happen," said Blinstrubas, the executive chair of Queers United Against Discrimination (QUAD) and a 9th-semester English and social justice major. "It was the first of its kind in the country - where we all came to the table to talk. Before, it was a series of press release wars and protests. It can't end here."
"We wanted to get everybody in a room, from each perspective," said Rice, "and have an open dialogue about ENDA."
The controversy began in September when ENDA, a bill originally designed to protect Gay Lesbain Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) workers from discrimination, was amended. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) didn't believe that Congress would pass the bill if it included protection for discrimination based on, "gender identity." They amended the bill and Congress approved it by 235-184 votes on Nov. 7. The bill protects people from discrimination based exclusively on, "sexual orientation."
It is difficult to predict, according to Courtney, how the Senate will vote on the bill, but if it passes, most people expect it to be vetoed by President Bush. Passing the bill in the House, Courtney said, was an important step in the process of making it a future law, despite its prospects in the White House. Courtney added, civil rights legislation is, "done in chunks."
These protesters, however, did not stay out in the cold. When the UConn Town Hall Forum on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (EDNA) began, they came in to hear what the four member panel and Rep. Joseph Courtney (D-Conn.) had to say.
The forum, according to Matt Blinstrubas, who planned the event with Human Rights Campaign representative Brian Rice, was intended to be a constructive discussion about the ENDA controversy that has divided the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community across the country.
"It was the beginning of a conversation that needs to happen," said Blinstrubas, the executive chair of Queers United Against Discrimination (QUAD) and a 9th-semester English and social justice major. "It was the first of its kind in the country - where we all came to the table to talk. Before, it was a series of press release wars and protests. It can't end here."
"We wanted to get everybody in a room, from each perspective," said Rice, "and have an open dialogue about ENDA."
The controversy began in September when ENDA, a bill originally designed to protect Gay Lesbain Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) workers from discrimination, was amended. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) didn't believe that Congress would pass the bill if it included protection for discrimination based on, "gender identity." They amended the bill and Congress approved it by 235-184 votes on Nov. 7. The bill protects people from discrimination based exclusively on, "sexual orientation."
It is difficult to predict, according to Courtney, how the Senate will vote on the bill, but if it passes, most people expect it to be vetoed by President Bush. Passing the bill in the House, Courtney said, was an important step in the process of making it a future law, despite its prospects in the White House. Courtney added, civil rights legislation is, "done in chunks."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Diana
posted 12/03/07 @ 2:38 PM EST
It will take a very long time for the HRC to rebuild trust in the trans-community.
This is what got the us so angry with the HRC...
* In March 2000, the HRC added Gender to its Mission Statement. (Continued…)
Joni Christian
posted 12/04/07 @ 9:46 AM EST
"An injury to one is an injury to all."
"United ENDA coalition continues to expand, and we intend to harness the passion, grassroots activism and local, state and national organization leadership. (Continued…)
Richard Nelson
posted 12/04/07 @ 11:43 AM EST
Sorry Heather, members of Ct. TransAdvocacy and Queers Without Borders who protested outside did not and let me repeat did not go into the the panel at the Dodd Center. (Continued…)
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