After two decades, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has passed the Senate, moving us one step closer to ensuring that LGBT individuals are secure and free from discrimination at work.

With a final vote count of 64 to 32, this transgender-inclusive bill passed with bipartisan support in the Senate for the first time in history.

This landmark legislation is moving forward thanks to the work of national and state-based organizations who have spent years organizing, lobbying, and advocating to win the support of an overwhelming majority of Senators.

What is ENDA? Why is it important?
Under current federal law, it is already illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, nationality, religion, age, or disability. ENDA would prohibit discrimination in hiring and employment practices on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity as well.

ENDA is critical to ensuring fairness and equality in employment for all LGBT individuals, especially those who currently live in one of twenty-nine states with no laws protecting LGBT people in the workplace.

While a version of ENDA passed the House in 2007, this is the first time in history a trans-inclusive version has ever been voted on in the Senate. This is an important piece of legislation that will help to guarantee fair treatment for LGBT workers, especially transgender individuals who have been historically discriminated against in employment.

What Happens Next?
Immediately following the vote, President Obama called on the House to take up the bill, reaffirming his commitment to signing it into law. The legislation is now in the hands of the House, and our US Representatives will decide its future.

House Speaker John Boehner has said he will not bring ENDA to the House floor for a vote, but he is already receiving criticism for this statement, even from members of his own party.

Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we let our Senators know we have their backs.

While we wait to see if the bill will be debated in the House, state groups should encourage their supporters to thank the Senators who have continuously supported LGBT equality, especially through the most recent vote to pass ENDA.

We must continue to garner support nationwide to maintain our movement’s momentum. 2013 has been a remarkable year for the LGBT community, and with this latest vote in the Senate, we’ve taken one more step toward full equality for all.