WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today praised the bipartisan passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The legislation will provide all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, with basic protections against workplace discrimination. It passed by a vote of 64-32.

“The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is the next step in this country’s long movement toward ensuring basic civil rights protections for all of its citizens,” said Senator King. “For far too long, LGBT individuals across the country have experienced harassment or lost their jobs simply because of who they are. ENDA will bring an end to these discriminatory practices by extending basic employment protections to millions of American employees, ensuring that individuals will be judged on the basis of their talent, skills, and experience, rather than sexual orientation or gender identity. Today’s vote marks a step forward for human rights and a step forward for America.”

Twenty-nine states currently have no legislation that bans employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and 33 states are without protections for gender identity. Maine is not one of these states. Maine’s civil rights law that prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, credit, and public accommodation based on sexual orientation has been on the books since 2005. ENDA unifies the existing patchwork of state laws by extending equal federal protections to all employees across the country. 

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