From Gay People’s Chronicle (Ohio):
“We should not be so timid about protecting transgender people,” [Rep. Tammy] Baldwin said.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland is the only Ohioan on the Education and Labor Committee. He is also an original co-sponsor of the transgender-inclusive ENDA.
Kucinich agrees with Baldwin that the original bill should not have been pulled back.
“It’s fear,” Kucinich said of the leadership strategy.
The non-inclusive bill passed the committee October 18 by a vote of 27 to 21, with Kucinich voting against it as a protest.
“And so today when we’re confronted with this legislation, we should be mindful that discrimination of any kind is un-American and should not be tolerated,” Kucinich told the committee.
“I stand with the principles of the LGBT community to defend against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity,” Kucinich continued.
Kucinich said he cannot recall any member of the committee speaking against transgender inclusion.
“I would not have split this bill,” said Kucinich. “I would have reached out to Republican leadership in an attempt to not politicize this.”
“But some in leadership are worried about the spin,” Kucinich said.
Be honest, GLB America, the spin that is causing the real fear, discord and tumult is that which has been spun by those GLBs who want the special right to discriminate against trans people that Barney’s ENDA will create.
