By Mary Lou Makepeace

 

In May of 2007, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) was signed into law by Governor Bill Ritter, expanding protection against workplace discrimination for all Coloradans. ENDA increases Colorado's employment nondiscrimination protections to include sexual orientation - an important step toward ending all discrimination in the workplace.

 

ENDA makes it unlawful to consider sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression when making employment related decisions, or to make any inquiry about an applicant's sexual orientation or gender expression. This new law defines sexual orientation as a person's orientation toward heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or transgender status.

 

To date, twenty states and the District of Columbia have policies prohibiting both sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment, and thirteen of those states include transgender protections. In addition, many of the most respected and influential corporations in the United States have made similar commitments to protect their employees from discrimination in the workplace and to ensure equal opportunities for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) employees, vendors, and partners. Companies ranging from Xerox Corp. and Bank of America to Ernst & Young and Eastman Kodak Co. have nondiscrimination policies that include gender identity, include gay/lesbian businesses in supplier-diversity tracking, have active programs to support and recruit LGBT employees, and more.

 

ENDA officially establishes those same standards for equality and nondiscrimination in Colorado, making this a landmark law in the state's history. The law is applicable to all employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, on-the-job training, vocational training programs, and schools in the state. Companies that comply with ENDA are not only taking an important step toward ensuring a discrimination-free workplace for their employees, but protecting their organization from potential litigation.

 

"Complying with ENDA is simple and is an important step every organization can take toward advancing equality and
ending discrimination in our state," said Mary Lou Makepeace, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado.

 

To help expand the understanding of the law and assist companies in achieving compliance with ENDA before its one year anniversary, the Gay & Lesbian Fund and their partners and grantees are providing Colorado companies with resources that offer step-by-step guidance. The first key step in achieving compliance is for companies to add the term "sexual orientation" to their nondiscrimination policies so that all employees are aware of the organization's adherence to the law.

 

There are additional measures organizations can take to protect themselves and their employees.

 

"All organizations, whether they are nonprofit or private, need to recognize discrimination as a potential liability. They need to have policies and procedures in place, as well as staff training, to avoid any allegations of discrimination," says Pat Steadman, vice president of Mendez, Steadman & Associates, a political consulting firm. Steadman was the primary lobbyist who worked for eleven years to get ENDA passed into Colorado law.

 

The Gay & Lesbian Fund's ENDA materials also offer tips for achieving a discrimination-free workplace for employees. These resources are available for download at www.gayandlesbianfund.org/enda, and additional information about ENDA is available at www.colorado.gov and www.aclu.org/enda/.
 

 

 

This year the Colorado State Legislature passed SB 08-200, expanding language prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, including transgender status, in housing practices, public accommodation, eligibility for jury service, availability of family planning services, as well as many other areas.

SB 200, sponsored by Senator Jennifer Veiga and Representative Joel Judd, updates the current laws adding sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, age, national origin, ancestry and religion to current antidiscrimination laws covering housing and public accommodation. It also defines sexual orientation to include transgender status, extending protections to people most often denied their basic rights. SB 200 is an important step for equal rights in Colorado.

 

SB 200 will be effective immediately with Governor Ritter's signature. He has until June 9, 2008 to either sign or veto the legislation.

 

Groups Protest Gay-Rights Bill - The Gazette 5/22/08

 

Call the Governor's office at 303-866-2471.

 

 

 

 

The battle over voting rights will expand this week as lawmakers in Missouri are expected to support a proposed constitutional amendment to enable election officials to require proof of citizenship from anyone registering to vote.

 

The measure would allow far more rigorous demands than the voter ID requirement recently upheld by the Supreme Court, in which voters had to prove their identity with a government-issued card.

 

 

In order to vote in the Colorado State Primary Election on August 12, you must be registered to vote by July 14th and declare a party affiliation.  Only voters registered as Republican or Democrat can vote in the Primary.  Unaffiliated voters wishing to participate in the Primary Election are encouraged to affliate with the Republican or Democratic Party by July 14.  In order to vote in the General Election on November 4, you must be registered to vote by October 6.

 

Click here for information on Voter Registration