DURHAM, N.C. — U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) announced Saturday that she will become a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, federal legislation that would prohibit employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Hagan’s decision is being made via statement at the NC Pride Festival and Parade on the east campus of Duke University. Addison Ore, executive director of the Greensboro, N.C.-based Triad Health Project and former Equality North Carolina board member, will read the statement at the event.
“I’m announcing today that I will be signing on as a cosponsor to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA),” reads Hagan’s statement, provided to qnotes by her office. “Discrimination must never be tolerated, and I believe that all Americans deserve an equal opportunity to fulfill their potential. No one – NO ONE – should be turned away from a job or fired because of their sexual orientation OR gender identity.”
Hagan’s staff is crediting a recent constituent meeting with helping to move the senator toward cosponsorship.
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“She met last week with some constituents who are members of the transgender community,” Hagan Director of Economic Development Chris Sgro told qnotes. “She wanted to make sure she was a co-sponsor.”
Sgro, who is gay, lives in Greensboro and works out of Hagan’s home office.
