Here we go again.

Last fall we thought our community made it crystal clear that we aren’t interested in pushing through Congress a version of the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act that doesn’t include protections based on gender identity.

In an unprecedented display of community unity more than 300 GLBT groups from around the country came together almost overnight to oppose any version of ENDA that doesn’t protect transgenders. Never in our community’s history have so many diverse groups banded together to speak with such a singular voice on one political issue.

House Democratic leaders, backed by the lone community group that didn’t stand together with the rest of the community—the Human Rights Campaign—ignored us, marking the only time in history, no doubt, that Congress passed a civil rights bill that was adamantly opposed by the community it was supposed to benefit.

In spite of our community’s opposition, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), a longtime GLBT community ally, has announced that he’s going ahead with plans to push for Senate approval of the same flawed version of ENDA that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and HRC railroaded through the House.

Nothing about our community’s arguments against the bad ENDA bill has changed. It is still wrong to imply that gays’ and lesbians’ civil rights are more important than transgenders’ civil rights. Even if the bill passes the Senate, which seems unlikely, President Bush is firmly committed to vetoing it, so why the rush? Why not wait a year for a new president who might be more inclined to sign a GLBT civil rights bill?

In the meantime, advocates could educate members of Congress, just as they’ve done successfully in Springfield and other state capitals in recent years, about why gender identity protections are necessary and won’t result in the bizarre workplace scenarios conjured up by anti-GLBT fanatics. Gender identity protections have passed in bedrock, mainstream American cities such as Peoria, Grand Rapids and Indianapolis. Don’t tell us—and the state and local GLBT activists who’ve successfully lobbied for them—that you can’t pass a bill that includes transgenders. We know better.

This is also an issue on which the two Democratic presidential candidates who want our votes should show more leadership. In February Sen. Hillary Clinton told GLBT community newspapers that she understands the importance of passing a version of ENDA that is “fully inclusive of all people.” We’d like to hear her say that clearly and publicly to Sen. Kennedy and the rest of the Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill.

Clinton’s opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, in an interview last week with The Advocate, sounded a more defeatist note, saying while he would work “to get the strongest possible bill,” passing a trans-inclusive ENDA would be “a heavy lift” and is “going to be tough.”

That’s not nearly strong enough—Obama needs to voice a much more supportive and forceful commitment.

Once again, the duty falls to each of us to let our lawmakers know how we feel. Contact Sen. Obama and Sen. Dick Durbin today and urge them to oppose the version of ENDA that doesn’t include gender identity. Tell them our community is absolutely united on this, despite what a few high-paid Washington lobbyists might be telling them. Tell them to talk with GLBT community members in their home state—all over their home state, in fact—if they need that message reinforced.

This is important. We want and deserve a civil rights bill that we can be proud of, one that does the job it needs to do, which is protect our entire GLBT community. A second-rate version of ENDA isn’t a victory for anyone.