ABSTRACT
The effort to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation started at the federal level in 1975. Early proposals attempted to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and facilities, public education, and federally assisted programs. Although bills have been introduced in some form in each succeeding Congress, none of the broad-based bills received serious attention. The Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) of 1995 was limited to prohibiting discrimination in employment. It covered hiring, firing, promotions, and compensation by public and private employers. Religious organizations, the military, and employers with fewer than fifteen employees were exempt. It did not require employers to provide partner benefits, and it specifically prohibited quotas or preferential treatment.
