Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass.), one of two out congresspeople, recently mentioned in an interview with Mile High Political Views, an LGBT political blog, that he thinks there is a higher chance of passing a transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) through a post-November congress stacked with more Democrats. 

“If we can pick up 15 Democratic seats, then I think we are in a good position to pass a transgender-inclusive ENDA,” Frank said, when asked about what he thinks the LGBT community’s first priority should be if the Democratic party experiences a “big win” in November. 

This is a marked shift in Frank’s attitude from his position last year, when he was heavily criticized by transgender and equal-rights advocates for declining to support a transgender-inclusive ENDA. Frank cited the likelihood that the bill would not pass in the current administration and has criticized transgender activists, as he did in an article in the Village Voice:

Frank also believes that transgender activists have relied too heavily on mainstream LGBT groups to push the issue. “They haven’t done any lobbying yet,” he complained. “They insist the gay community will do it, and they are wrong to say the gay community will do it. They have done a very bad job.”

For more information, check out this post by Transgender Workplace Diversity or peruse ‘further reading’ after the jump.

Photo credit: www.house.gov/frank

Further reading: 

Youtube: ENDA/Transgender Press Conference featuring Barney Frank

Bilerico Project: Guest post on ENDA from Congressman Barney Frank