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In
light of continuing delays in the House of Representatives, we must state
clearly and unequivocally: Passing basic job protections for lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender people must happen now. At a time when our government
is deeply focused on the critical issue of employment, it is inexcusable to
delay action on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Each and every
job lost to prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity
needlessly compounds the unemployment challenges facing our nation. We call
on Congress for the immediate passage of ENDA.
For
decades now, we have called upon Congress to pass legislation to address the
basic right of LGBT people to work free from discrimination at our jobs, and
now Congress tells us we must wait another year. In 29 states, it remains legal
to fire people based on sexual orientation and in 38 states, discrimination
based on gender identity remains legal. In failing to take swift action to pass
ENDA, our government allows unfettered bigotry to go unchecked, leading to the
loss of jobs, fear in the workplace, economic instability, and personal
hardship, while allowing employers to lose competent experienced workers. ENDA
is urgently needed by our communities.
The
majority of Americans consistently state their support for employment
protections and voters have affirmed similar state and local measures. There is
absolutely no reason for Congress to continue to delay this non-controversial
bill or drop LGBT issues to the bottom of their agenda. We will not be denied
basic rights any longer. Nothing is more important than protecting
peoples' jobs so ENDA must pass now. Further delays are absolutely
unacceptable.
Matthew
Coles & James Esseks, Co-Directors,
American Civil Liberties Union LGBT Project
Terry
Stone, Executive Director,
CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Toni
Broaddus, Executive Director, Equality Federation
Jennifer
Chrisler, Executive Director, Family Equality Council
Lee
Swislow, Executive Director, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
Jarrett
Tomás Barrios, President,
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
Joe
Solmonese, President, Human Rights Campaign
Rachel
T. Niven, Executive Director, Immigration Equality
Earl
Fowlkes, President/CEO, International Federation of Black Prides, Inc.
Kevin
Cathcart, Executive Director, Lambda Legal
Christian
Berle, Director, Log Cabin Republicans National Office
Sharon
J. Lettman, Executive Director/CEO, National Black Justice Coalition
Kate
Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Mara
Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
Rebecca
Fox, Executive Director, National Coalition for LGBT Health
Rea
Carey, Executive Director,
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
Michael
Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats
Gregory
Varnum, Executive Director, National Youth Advocacy Coalition
Selisse
Berry, Founding Executive Director, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Jody
Huckaby, Executive Director, Parents, Families and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays
(PFLAG) National
Jo
Kenny, Interim Director, Pride at Work AFL-CIO
Masen
Davis, Executive Director, Transgender Law Center
Additional
organizations may be added.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Call the Capitol
Switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask to speak to your Representative
(have your zip code handy and they'll help identify your member of
Congress).
When you are connected with your Representative's office, give your name and your city and then let them know:
I
am calling in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H. R.
3017/S. 1584), which will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender people from job discrimination. No one deserves to be fired
from their job because of who they are. No more delays--it is time to pass ENDA.
If
you get voicemail instead of a person, feel free to leave a message-the
messages are listened to and count just as much as if you reach a staff
member. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you've called
in the past, no problem ... call again or write or visit. And if you really can't call tomorrow, call on a different day.
Join the endaNOW Web 2.0 campaign and spread the message to your friends, family members and allies.
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WANT TO LEARN MORE?
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There
are many ideas about how you can take action on NCTE's ENDA webpage. Visit it today. The more we
all do, the more likely we are to pass this vital legislation. It is up
to us.
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About NCTE
The National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social
justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence
against transgender people through education and advocacy on national
issues of importance to transgender people. By
empowering transgender people and our allies to educate and influence
policymakers and others, NCTE facilitates a strong and clear voice for
transgender equality in our nation's capital and around the country. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a 501(c)3 organization. |
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