ABSTRACT
This chapter considers empirical arguments and showed the costs of job discrimination and the inadequacy of current law. Job discrimination based on sexual orientation has profound effects both for its immediate victims and our entire economy. Job discrimination has serious psychological ramifications for Lesbian, Gay & Bisexuals (LGBs). Experiences that reinforce a group's minority status can cause members of that group psychological harm. Activists must educate legislators, legislative staff, and the general public about the incidence of job discrimination and the true state of the law. The proposed federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would prohibit private sector and government employers, employment agencies, and labor unions from discriminating, based on sexual orientation, in hiring, firing, promotion, or compensation. Federal law prohibits job discrimination based on age, disability, race, color, sex, religion, and national origin. Job discrimination based on sexual orientation results in psychological and physical damage. Job discrimination based on sexual orientation has enormous costs for individuals, communities, and society.
