Saperstein testifies for ENDA

Wednesday’s House Education and Labor Committee hearing on ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, included testimony from Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism director Rabbi David Saperstein. The bill would make it illegal for employers to hire, fire, demote or refuse to promote an individual based on his or her real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

"Our belief in ENDA’s importance stems from a core teaching shared by an array of faith traditions, Jewish and non-Jewish alike," testified Saperstein. "In the words of Genesis, (1:27), ‘And God created humans in God’s own image, in the image of God, God created them; male and female God created them.’ We oppose discrimination against all individuals, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender men and women, for the stamp of the Divine is imprinted on the souls of each and every one of us."

Saperstein also noted the exemption for religious organizations in the bill, which he called "an essential part of this legislation."

"This legislation is not an endorsement of any particular religious viewpoint and it does not interfere with religious beliefs about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people," he said. "ENDA simply ensures that workers are judged and rewarded based on their qualifications and performance, rather than on irrelevant and prejudicial factors. At the same time, it protects the right of religious communities to make their own employment decisions in this sensitive area."

Saperstein gives a lengthy defense of the religious exemption — which has been a source of controversy for the bill — in his full testimony, which can be read here.

After the jump, some more excerpts of Saperstein’s testimony, as well as a statement from the Anti-Defamation League — which endorsed the bill and said that "we strongly believe that employment decisions such as hiring, firing, promotion and compensation should be based on merit, performance and ability – and never on the basis of an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

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First, from the RAC:

Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, testified this morning before the House Education and Labor Committee in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) (H.R. 3017), a bill that would make it illegal for employers to hire, fire, demote or refuse to promote an individual based on his or her real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Excerpts of his testimony follow; the full testimony can be found here.

Our belief in ENDA’s importance stems from a core teaching shared by an array of faith traditions, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. In the words of Genesis, (1:27), “And God created humans in God’s own image, in the image of God, God created them; male and female God created them.” We oppose discrimination against all individuals, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender men and women, for the stamp of the Divine is imprinted on the souls of each and every one of us.

… That is why Section 6 of ENDA, the exemption for religious organizations, is an essential part of this legislation … This legislation is not an endorsement of any particular religious viewpoint and it does not interfere with religious beliefs about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. ENDA simply ensures that workers are judged and rewarded based on their qualifications and performance, rather than on irrelevant and prejudicial factors. At the same time, it protects the right of religious communities to make their own employment decisions in this sensitive area.

… We are long past the point when our laws should permit discrimination against any individual because of their sexual orientation. Just as we do not tolerate behavior that discriminates based on race, gender, national origin or religion, so should we be clear about discrimination based on the characteristic of being gay or lesbian. … It is time for our laws to reflect these values and allow members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community to live their professional lives without fear of discrimination or the pressure to hide their true identity.

And the ADL:

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed today’s House Education and Labor Committee hearings on HR 3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (ENDA). The legislation, introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), would extend existing federal protections from employment discrimination to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.

The League, which wrote a letter to committee members in support of the legislation, issued the following statement:

We welcome these committee hearings on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).  In 2009, it is unacceptable that, in more than half the states, it is not illegal to fire someone simply because of that person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.  Support for ENDA sends an important message to all Americans that this form of discrimination will not be tolerated in the workplace.

Opinion polls demonstrate that the American people support equal treatment in the workplace, and the vast majority of Fortune 500 companies have policies protecting gay employees from discrimination. 

We strongly believe that employment decisions such as hiring, firing, promotion and compensation should be based on merit, performance and ability – and never on the basis of an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.