All or None???

Greetings Community,

I have been pondering a really serious concern to creation of a safe space for our community in the larger society. Something very important and yet controversial happened late last week. Late last week, House leaders announced their decision to change the language of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) so that it only includes sexual orientation and not gender identity. These House leaders have said that they do not have enough votes to move forward with the original fully-inclusive bill.

For more info on ENDA, click here: ENDA

Many people are caught up in this issue on both sides, and I would like to get your opinion. Throughout history, change and the inclusion of oppressed cultures (however partial) has typically happened over time and in incremental steps.

Some proponents of removing the "gender-identity" clause might probably ensure the passage of this bill, but would exclude Transgender persons from protection at this point (there is discussion about adopting a provision after the passage of ENDA that would protect Transgender persons). So for those people, it seems that the passage of this historic and controversial bill even in fragments is ultimately a step in the right direction.

Then there are those who have been in the trenches fighting to get this bill passed, who feel that if the "gender identity" clause was removed, that it would circumvent the purpose (to be inclusive) of this bill and then no longer warrant its passage or the support of its passage.

I want to know how do you feel about this? Do you feel like the clause should be removed or should it remain? Strong arguments on both sides.....any thoughts?