Posted by Karla Rothan

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
Although it is true that we are one step closer to our ultimate goal of ensuring that all GLBT Americans no longer live in fear of losing their jobs, the victory is bittersweet. We called, we wrote, we kicked and we screamed yet gender identity is not included in the bill. This is very disheartening to our community. Our transgender people are at the highest risk of discrimination.

Everyday at the Center on High, our staff and volunteers work with individuals in the transgender community who live in fear of losing their jobs or have already lost them. Imagine, also, if you are trying to get another job and you have to list your references. Obviously your name has changed. Your possible employer calls and there is no record of you. Your gender is different but your skills and work performance are the same, yet because of the way you look, you are fired.

As a spiritual person I believe in the existence of the soul. The body dies and the soul remains. The root of this discrimination is religious. The right wing fundamentalists have forgotten about the soul it seems and still deem it necessary to persecute those who are different. My colleague Shane Morgan, the leader of TransOhio, has helped me to grow as an activist. He placed a quote on his website that speaks the truth and touches me,

"I ask myself, in mercy, or in common sense, if we cannot alter the conviction  to fit the body, should we not in certain circumstances, alter the body to fit the  conviction?" — Dr. Harry Benjamin, M.D

If your "look" does not fit the company’s gender stereotype, watch out.

I commend all of the activists and organizations that came together to shed light on this issue and I look forward to the future fight.