ENDA the line

The last week has been tumultuous regarding the Employment Non Discrimination Act. There was hope the HRC would change it's stance and continue to support a transgender inclusive bill. That hope did not come to pass.

Certain friends of mine here in North Carolina have worked long and hard with HRC for this effort, and others. For them to tender their resignation to HRC was a heart wrenching decision. They had the courage they always have and did the right thing.

A number of people from NC, along with others, protested outside the HRC dinner this past Saturday evening while Nancy Pelosi made her keynote address. To her credit, she acknowledged the protestors and stated her support for a trans inclusive ENDA. She did this irrespective of the fact she and Congressman Frank rewrote the bill from it's original form to a separate bill for transgender rights.

The last three years, Donna Rose has been the one transgender face on the HRC board of directors at the national level. She has done a lot for our community. You can read her statement on the HRC decision.

As things evolve, the concensus is growing that HRC was forced to compromise to get any bill at all through congress. The reality is the bill has little to no chance of passage during the next year. As with most legislation involving human rights, the wheels turn slowly. Foundations must be laid before the final structure goes up. It would seem this is taking place as we watch.


My friend Nancy Wichmann redesigned our CGA website. Nancy is very good at this and I appreciate what she did for us. Charlotte Gender Alliance continues to grow. We knew we were filling a need at the right time.