Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)First introduced in 1994, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was passed with bipartisan support in November 2013. Generally, it offers LGBT individuals basic protection against employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Under this federal law, the federal government, employers, employment agencies and labour unions are prohibited from making hiring, firing or promotion decisions based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the same protection policies that already apply on grounds of race, religion, gender, nationality, age and disability. What it also prohibits, however, is the use affirmative action, such as quotas, in making employment decisions. It does not extend coverage to small businesses and religious organisations.
Research shows that without employment non-discrimination laws, the poverty rate among LGBT adults tend to be higher (Badgett, Durso & Schneebaum, 2013) . How ENDA works to close socio-economic gaps is that it provides LGBT individuals with basic economic security. Legally, they cannot be fired for being queer, and so they will have a secure means of livelihood. However, it must be noted that this act provides only basic protection, and further policies are needed to complement it.
Research shows that without employment non-discrimination laws, the poverty rate among LGBT adults tend to be higher (Badgett, Durso & Schneebaum, 2013) . How ENDA works to close socio-economic gaps is that it provides LGBT individuals with basic economic security. Legally, they cannot be fired for being queer, and so they will have a secure means of livelihood. However, it must be noted that this act provides only basic protection, and further policies are needed to complement it.
Affirmative action
This refers to policies that give people of colour, women, gender and sexuality and romantic minorities (GSRM), people with disabilities and other (minority) groups facing discrimination consideration on the basis of their under-representation in both education and employment. The concept underlying affirmative action is the acknowledgement of unequal opportunities for these groups throughout history, including acts of discrimination like slavery, racial segregation and histories of violence.
Not only do such policies do a lot for minorities in terms of education and subsequent socio-economic welfare, but the student diversity encouraged also benefits students of majority and minority groups alike. There would be enhanced student dialogues as well as the decrease in racial isolation and stereotypes.
This refers to policies that give people of colour, women, gender and sexuality and romantic minorities (GSRM), people with disabilities and other (minority) groups facing discrimination consideration on the basis of their under-representation in both education and employment. The concept underlying affirmative action is the acknowledgement of unequal opportunities for these groups throughout history, including acts of discrimination like slavery, racial segregation and histories of violence.
Not only do such policies do a lot for minorities in terms of education and subsequent socio-economic welfare, but the student diversity encouraged also benefits students of majority and minority groups alike. There would be enhanced student dialogues as well as the decrease in racial isolation and stereotypes.