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Ed Fallon - A Call for Congressional Leadership and a Word on Barney Frank's ENDA Compromise
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Apr 18, 2008 Posted by Stacy Brenton
Unless we elect a progressive Congress, the debate over which Presidential candidate best represents the GLBT community may be futile. Without leadership for full equality in Congress, GLBT issues may be relegated to the backburner.
That's why I'm concerned with the compromise on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) pushed by Congressman Barney Frank and supported by my primary opponent, Leonard Boswell. Leaving gender identity out of ENDA is a compromise I'm not willing to support. It splinters the GLBT community and falls short of the goal expressed in the original version of ENDA -- to protect ALL members of the GLBT community from discrimination in the workforce.
As a state legislator in 1996, I received national attention for my speech in opposition to the proposed gay marriage ban. I cast GLBT equality as the defining civil rights issue of our time. Because of my leadership in the Iowa House, I was invited by Representative Frank to testify before the House Judiciary Committee against DOMA that year. While I continue to regard Congressman Frank highly, I disagree with him on his position in ENDA.
Congressman Boswell can be applauded for votes against the federal marriage amendment and in support of hate crimes legislation. Yet, his lack of past leadership on issues like repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell, immigration laws that include same-sex partners, and his current compromise on ENDA call into question how forcefully he'll seek full equality for the GLBT community in the future.
I'm honored to have the grassroots support of many GLBT activists in my district. I also appreciate the endorsements by eQualityGiving and Democracy for America earlier this year. I look forward to being a voice in Congress that speaks unequivocally for equality for all. When it comes to matters of justice, fairness and civil rights, there can be no middle ground.