Written Nov. 8, 2007
Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would amend existing workplace discrimination laws to include sexual orientation. Our vote followed an impassioned plea for support from my colleague and chairman, Congressman Barney Frank.
Since coming to Congress, I can't remember being so personally moved by a member's remarks on the House floor. And I was not alone. While Barney is renowned for his quick wit, humor and incisive intellectual arguments, he disarmed his opponents last night with pure emotion.
Teary-eyed members, including myself, were touched not by Congressman Frank, Financial Services Committee Chairman, but by Barney, their respected gay colleague, emotionally sharing how he has personally faced discrimination, and his passionate pleas to finally remove such workplace barriers from the lives of gay Americans.
Barney told us how he's been fighting to pass this type of legislation for 35 years, and that he couldn't help but 'take personally' attempts to derail his efforts. He implored his colleagues to not send him back having failed gay Americans. For the first time since I've been on the House floor, you could hear a pin drop.
His emotional appeal influenced a number of members to change their positions, something that so rarely happens these days.
Walking off the floor that night, I was proud to be a member of Congress. All the way home, I reflected on how rarely we pass a historic, precedent-setting law that affects the basic rights of Americans.
Like many working parents, sometimes I wonder if the time away from my family is really worth it—particularly when time gets wasted on petty and/or partisan issues.
But that night, I was excited to tell my daughters about what Barney said on the floor and how Congress responded. He said: 'Americans shouldn't fear losing their jobs because someone might find out who they love.' We voted to make sure they won't have to.
If Barney's personal passion as well as the respect he has earned as one of our most gifted colleagues carries any weight, the Senate and president will follow the House and pass ENDA quickly. Let's not wait another 35 years.