Support ENDA
In 31 states, it's still legal to fire someone because they're gay; in 39 states it is legal to fire someone for being transgender.
Thousands of hardworking GLBT Americans have lost their livelihoods simply because of who they are. The Human Rights Campaign, The Task Force and state and national gay and non-gay organizations are working together to end this bitter injustice by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a federal bill that would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote employees simply based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Our momentum for this historic legislation is building on Capitol Hill. But the radical right is flooding lawmakers with lies and misinformation about ENDA.
You can set the facts straight. Send your lawmakers a message today. Make sure they know passing ENDA is the American thing to do! Make sure lawmakers know passing ENDA is important to you personaly.
Everybody has a stake in passing ENDA even those who live in states such as Washington State that have state-wide non-discrimination laws in place. Time and time again we hear about people who are concerned about moving out of state for a new job or to take care of elederly parents because they will lose the protections they have enjoyed in Washington. When people are secure in their jobs they can speak more freely about their lives and this allows the national dialogue we need on issues such as marriage equality. And gay or staraight,we all want to live and raise our families in a nation where the value of equality is enshrined in its laws. Equal Rights Washington thanks the Human Rights Campaign, HRC, for permission to use content from their action alert center to create this campaign.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: I want you to Know -- I Support ENDA HR 2015
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As your constituent I'm writing to share my strong support for HR 2015, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that protects gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans against discrimination in the workplace.
Sincerely,
|
Campaign Launched:
August 23, 2007
|
The problem. Qualified, hardworking Americans are being denied job opportunities, fired or otherwise discriminated against – not because of their performance and abilities, but because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Yet those who experience this form of discrimination have no recourse under current federal law.
And state protections are few and far between. 31 states, it's legal to fire someone because they're gay; in 39 states it is legal to fire someone for being transgender.
Employment discrimination strikes at a fundamental American value – the right of each individual to contribute to society without facing unfair treatment. That's why the Human Rights Campaign is working with its allies in Congress to pass ENDA.
What is ENDA? The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is a federal bill that would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote employees simply based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It would reinforce the principle that employment decisions should be based upon a person's qualifications and job performance.
What's the current law? Currently, federal law protects against employment discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin or disability, but not sexual orientation or gender identity.
This material was prepared by the Human Rights Campaign, HRC
|
