GOProud does not have an official position on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), but we thought you all would find this thoughtful commentary interesting.  This from Corinna Cohn  -

Neither Discrimination nor ENDA Are Necessary

A Washington Times editorial published April 23, 2010 argues that discrimination against transgender men and women is necessary in order to protect children against the dangers of being taught by someone who was born one sex and lives as or has become the other sex. The editorial called transgender people ‘weirdos,’ and that is probably true in certain circles. But in others they are called doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, entertainers, artists, and yes, even teachers.

Proponents of the Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA) say the bill is necessary to protect vulnerable people from being judged on personal traits. However, the biggest gains in workplace protections have come from businesses, not government. The 2010 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), published by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), reported that 72 percent of businesses surveyed have gender identity protections, and the number grows each year. Businesses have done this for two reasons, neither involving the government.

The first, and most important reason is that businesses compete with each other to attract the brightest, most productive workers they can, and businesses understand that workers will choose to take jobs with employers who make principled choices to protect workers against discrimination based on their personal traits. The cost of implementing such a policy is now, the benefit is high, and so adding gender identity protections for most businesses is a no-brainer. The second reason is because society in general expects it. When groups like HRC let businesses know that they are going to be measured and scored based on their corporate policies, the businesses evaluate themselves for changes based on community expectations and on the practices of their competitors.

This is the most logical way to advance workplace protections, because discrimination is a phenomenon of human attitudes, and attitudes are changed through experience and personal growth, not through the imposition of federal law. Discrimination based on personal characteristics is an affront to human dignity, but creating federal penalties for discrimination will only spray perfume on one of the symptoms of discrimination without addressing the underlying cause.

Twelve states so far have passed laws protecting an individual from workplace discrimination based on gender identity. The legislatures of the other 38 states always have the option to follow suit. Supporters of ENDA say that it’s not fair to make transgender individuals wait for protection, but they don’t acknowledge that since transgender people are such a small share of the population, that it would be difficult or impossible to prove in court that a business engaged in discrimination. It is more effective to convince businesses that they have a competitive incentive not to discriminate than it is to bludgeon them with regulatory clubs.

On the other hand, opponents of EDNA, as epitomized by the Traditional Values Coalition (TVC), could not care less about the efficacy of federal policy to reduce discrimination. They support discrimination for reasons that are difficult to fathom without invoking hackneyed stereotypes. They raise the specter that a “she-he” (to pick just one of their descriptions intended to dehumanize transgender persons) could teach a music class at your child’s school with no warning whatsoever. TVC never quite articulates the consequences of this horror, but probably the worst one is that a child could be exposed to a person who is different, and of course, different is bad.

In fact, groups like TVC, whose opinions and attitudes shock the conscience of the vast majority of Americans, do more to hasten the passage of bills like ENDA because those who would otherwise oppose the expansion of federal meddling in the affairs of private citizens feel pressure to do anything they can to separate themselves from the hateful ideas that emanate from the fringe.

There is little that ENDA can do to end discrimination, but the prospects of ENDA turning into another instrument for the abuse of government authority loom large. Businesses have already taken the lead on the issue, and twelve state legislatures have passed legislation on the issue. Individuals who believe that that change happens from the ground up have no reason to support ENDA except to avoid being counted under the banner carried by shrill opponents of human dignity.

Corinna Cohn - student at George Mason University Law School, vice-president of GMU Gay and Lesbian Law Association, secretary GMU Law Students for the Second Amendment

Our friends over at GayPatriot.net have a great post reporting on one gay Tea Party attendee’s experience at the Tea Party in Boston.  Read the entire post here.  Here’s the money quote -

“Some asked how I felt about being there. My most frequent response was I feel better coming out gay here today with the tea party people then coming out conservative in my gay community. ”

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GOProud Unveils Advertising Campaign Against Tom Campbell: “Wrong on Taxes”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, GOProud, the only national organization representing gay conservatives and their allies, unveiled a new advertising campaign against U.S. Senate candidate and former Rep. Tom Campbell (R-CA). “Tom Campbell refuses to sign the pledge not to raise taxes, supported increasing the income tax on California voters, and proposed a 32 cents a gallon increase in the gas tax,” said Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director of GOProud. “What kind of Republican refuses to sign the pledge not to raise taxes? Even a liberal like Dede Scozzafava was willing to do so. California voters deserve to know the truth about Tom Campbell.”

The ad, entitled “Wrong on Taxes,” will initially air as a web ad targeting the most likely Republican primary voters. The group plans to run the ad on television and radio, as well as on the web.

Last year, Dede Scozzafava’s candidacy divided Republicans and cost the party a seat in Congress. “Tom Campbell is Dede without the dress. A candidate with artificially high poll numbers and a record far outside the Republican main stream,” continued LaSalvia.

“The more Republican primary voters learn about Tom Campbell, the more it will become clear that his nomination would be a disaster for our party,” said LaSalvia. “Tom Campbell’s candidacy would divide the Republican Party at a time when we need to be united to turn back Barbara Boxer and her Democratic colleagues’ radical left wing agenda on Capitol Hill.”

“WRONG ON TAXES” (:30 Seconds)

Announcer: “Last year liberal “Republican” Dede Scozzafava’s candidacy divided the GOP and cost Republicans a seat in Congress.”

Announcer: “Like Dede liberal Tom Campbell has a voting record far outside the Republican mainstream.”

Announcer: “But there is a difference.”

Announcer: “Even a liberal like Dede was willing to sign the Pledge not to raise taxes. Something Tom Campbell refuses to do.”

Announcer: “In fact, Tom Campbell has proposed increasing taxes on California families.”

Announcer: “Tom Campbell: Wrong on Taxes, Wrong for Republicans, Wrong for California”

Announcer: “GOProud is responsible for the content of this advertising”

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GOProud’s Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia will speak at a forum - “Gay & Conservative?” - sponsored by the Tufts Republicans.  The event will be held on April 22 at 7 pm at Tufts University, Lane Hall room 100.  (Tufts University is located in Medford, MA near Boston.)

Right Pride, GOProud’s Nevada affiliate, has endorsed Candidate for State Assembly Dan Hill.  Hill, an openly gay Republican, is challenging an incumbent Democrat in Nevada’s 29th Assembly District.  Here is the Right Pride news release -

For Immediate Release
April 9, 2010

Right Pride Endorses Dan Hill (R) in Nevada’s 29th Assembly District

Mark Ciavola, President “Unlike his opponent, Hill stands firm against a state income tax and a job-killing corporate income tax, while supporting school choice as a way to fix Nevada’s education crisis. These conservative principles help all Nevadans, including gays and lesbians.”

(Las Vegas, NV) - Today, Right Pride announced their endorsement of Dan Hill for Nevada Assembly in District 29. Right Pride, the Nevada affiliate of GOProud, represents Gay Conservatives, Republicans, Independents and their allies in Nevada. “Dan Hill is the type of Assemblyman we need in Carson City to shake things up,” said Right Pride president, Mark Ciavola.  “Right Pride enthusiastically endorses his candidacy.”

Hill, who is a graduate of Green Valley High School, grew up in the district.  Hill is running a campaign focused on creating jobs, improving education for all Nevadans, and restoring fiscal responsibility to Nevada’s state government.

“Dan Hill understands the problems facing Nevadans,” continued Mark Ciavola. “Unlike his opponent, Hill stands firm against a state income tax and a job-killing corporate income tax, while supporting school choice as a way to fix Nevada’s education crisis. These conservative principles help all Nevadans, including gays and lesbians.”

“I value the endorsement of Right Pride, as an organization that focuses on the rights of the individual,” said Hill. “The foundation of the Republican Party is built on the individual, and freedom and success is now being threatened by an ever-expanding, fiscally irresponsible government.”

Dan Hill, who is openly gay, will challenge the one-term Democratic incumbent in the general election on November 2^nd.

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If you are in the Knoxville area on Tuesday, April 6th at 7:30 pm, make sure to catch GOProud’s Board Chairman Chris Barron’s speech at the University of Tennessee!  Click here for the details.