GayPeoplesChronicle.com – by Lisa Keen
Washington, D.C.–A major controversy has erupted within the LGBT community over a decision by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to seek passage of a new version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that excludes gender identity. In the view of a major gay legal organization, it is also “riddled with loopholes,” making it a “far weaker bill” with seriously diminished ability to protect gay men and lesbians from workplace discrimination.
The controversy pits the political strategy of one of the LGBT civil rights movement’s most popular and respected leaders, the openly gay Frank, against the political commitment of more than 100 national, state, and local LGBT organizations to stand together as a community.
At issue is a question that, on the surface, appears to be about timing and political expediency. But, at its core, the issue is about the community’s reluctance to advance protections that help part of the community, while asking the other part to wait.