ENDA sees support from wealthy GOP donors and office holders

LGBT activists are getting support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in Congress from some surprising allys - wealthy Republican donors and former office holders.


From The Advocate:

Republican billionaires Paul Singer and Seth Klarman have each donated $375,000 to Americans for Workplace Opportunity, a project of the Human Rights Campaign aimed at securing passage of ENDA, USA Today reports.

“America is a place where the freedom to be who you are shouldn’t be a barrier to your ability to get a job and provide for your family,” said Singer, according to USA Today. “In the workplace, employees should be judged on their merit and hard work and not on aspects that are irrelevant to their performance.”

In addition to the donations above, the HRC is contributing $1.3 million to help send activists into 48 Republican districts to do grassroots work to bring support to ENDA.

Although passed in the US Senate in November, the legislation is languishing in the House where Speaker Boehner says he has no plans to schedule a vote. The bill currently has 199 co-sponsors in the House. Boehner might have to reconsider his position if a majority - 218 - co-sponsor the legislation.