Inclusive ENDA Introduced! Ask your Representative to Become a Cosponsor!

On Wednesday, Representative Barney Frank, joined by Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, introduced an inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) - which would extend the existing federal law prohibiting employment discrimination to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. In Missouri, there is no state law protecting people from discrimination in the work place based on sexual orientation or gender identity. ENDA will add employment discrimination protections in the State of Missouri and across the country, but it will not provide protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing and public accommodation, as the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act would.

The bill was introduced by a group of bi-partisan Representatives and it is important that you contact your Missouri or other state U.S. Congressional legislator to become a cosponsor as well. Becoming a cosponsor shows that the Representative will stand firm with our community and helps build momentum for the bill’s passage.

Rep. Clay (MO-01; St. Louis), Rep. Carnahan (MO-3; Jefferson/St. Genevieve County), and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5; Kansas City) signed on as original co-sponsors to ENDA! These Congressional Representatives need to hear from you too, thanking them for becoming original co-sponsors!

Email your Representative below and ask them to be a co-sponsor of ENDA or thank them for already being an original co-sponsor!

Tell me more

Talking Points

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. ENDA creates express protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people similar to those available under existing federal discrimination laws for other protected classes of workers. There is no law in the state of Missouri that protects people from discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Schedule a Visit!

The August recess is coming up, and it is a perfect time to schedule a meeting with you Missouri Representative and Senators about why ENDA is needed. Sample meeting request letters and other talking points and resources are available in the following toolkits:

The Task Force ENDA Grassroots Toolkit
National Center for Transgender Equality’s Making Your Voice Heard
PFLAG’s Bringing the Message Home

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

Representative Barney Frank, joined by a group of bi-partisan Representatives, recently introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would extend the existing federal law prohibiting employment discrimination to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please support an inclusive ENDA - the bill that protects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans from losing their jobs just because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity.

Federal law already bans job discrimination based on race, gender, religion, and other categories that are essential to a person's being.  But employers in many states can still fire people because they are LGB or transgender.

LGBT Americans deserve and need the ability to work -- just like every American.  Please help by cosponsoring and supporting an inclusive ENDA in 2009.

If you have already signed-on as a cosponsor to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, THANK YOU!  As a constituent, I am thrilled to have your support for this critical piece of legislation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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