|
Pass ENDA in 2009!
Tell Congress to Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act NOW!
On September 23, the House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing to discuss ENDA, the federal employment nondiscrimination law that would ban discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. It is past time for Congress to pass ENDA -- please take action NOW to help us get the support we need. We must tell our Representatives and Senators how important these protections are to LGBT people.
The following Georgia Congressmembers have already signed on as co-sponosors. Please take a moment to thank them by calling or emailing their office - simply let them know that you appreciate their support of this important legislation.
Please thank...
Rep. John Lewis
(202) 225-3801
Email
Rep. Henry "Hank" Johnson
(202) 225-1605
Email
If you do not live in the district of Rep. Lewis or Johnson - Click here if you are not sure, please contact your Representative and Senators to ask them to take swift action to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Do it today. They need to hear that this bill is our top priority.
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121. Give the operator your zip code and ask to be connected to your Representative. Then, after leaving your message, hang up and call again to be connected to your two Senators.
Suggested voicemail message: My name is _____ and a proud resident of (your city/state). I am calling in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017/S. 1584), to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination. Please take swift action to pass ENDA. I can be reached at _______ (provide your phone number). Thank you.
Or send an email to your Representative and Senators by filling out the form and the button on the right.
It only takes a few minutes to make the calls or send the email, but the impact of your actions will touch lives for many years to come.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please Support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Please pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) this fall!
Today, employers in many states can still legally fire people because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. These hardworking Americans deserve the same protection as their coworkers, and ENDA would go a long way to making this a reality.
Please support an inclusive ENDA - the bill that protects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans from losing their jobs simply because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity.
LGBT Americans deserve and need the ability to work -- just like every American. Please help by supporting ENDA (H.R. 3017 / S. 1584) and bringing the bill to a vote in the House and Senate this fall.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
|
Campaign Launched:
September 22, 2009
|
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) 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.
Already nearly 40% of the US population (12 states and over 100 localities) protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers from discrimination.
Twelve states and over 100 localities protect individuals from workplace discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. However, coverage is inconsistent across the country, including from state to state, and local ordinances are often under-enforced. A federal law is needed to expressly and uniformly prohibit workplace discrimination throughout the United States.
Nondiscrimination is a best practice in Corporate America.
Corporate America generally opposes discrimination and has enacted policies protecting its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. More than 150 Fortune 500 companies have policies that include gender identity/expression. Companies have adopted these workplace non-discrimination policies because they are motivated by the bottom line: hiring and retaining the best, most experienced person for the job makes good business sense; employees who do not have to fear discrimination are loyal and productive; and searching for and training replacement employees is expensive.
Which employers are included?
ENDA applies to the same entities covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These include private employers with 15 or more employees, labor unions, employment agencies, and federal, state and local governments, The legislation exempts the Armed Forces, religious institutions, and employers with less than 15 employees.
Gender identity is essential to the bill.
It is critical that the bill cover both sexual orientation and gender identity. The express inclusion of gender identity is vital because transgender people face pervasive workplace discrimination, and existing federal law has proven inadequate to protect these workers. On this, the LGBT community is speaking in one voice: we must move forward with employment protections that will protect all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
Calls and emails about ENDA are needed to pass this bill in 2009.
|
