Lambda Legal Responds to Representative Barney Frank

(New York, October 4, 2007) — Prompted by a press release issued late yesterday from Rep. Barney Frank's office, earlier today Lambda Legal sent an open letter to Rep. Frank further explaining the shortfalls in the most recent version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

"Rep. Barney Frank is and has long been a great advocate for our community and we both have the same goal — to have a law that protects LGBT people from discrimination," said Jon Davidson, Legal Director at Lambda Legal. "In our letter to Rep. Frank we clarified why we are concerned that the newest version may not provide the protection all LGBT people deserve."

Lambda Legal placed a call to Rep.'s Frank's office and sent a detailed letter further explaining its preliminary legal analysis.

Letter excerpt:

[removing gender identity] "diminished the bill not only by excluding transgender people — a consequence we oppose in itself. The cut also made the bill far weaker by denying protection of the earlier version to those who may not identify as transgender but who are discriminated against because they are perceived as gender nonconforming. Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals frequently are perceived that way."

Lambda Legal was also one of many LGBT legal groups signing onto a statement that further explains concerns about the most recent version of ENDA. For more information visit www.lambdalegal.org.

View the entire letter to Rep. Barney Frank here

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Lisa Hardaway:  212-809-8585 ext. 266; Email: lhardaway@lambdalegal.org.

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.