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Rea Carey, NGLTF
The Presbyterian Equality Project of More Light Presbyterians applauds the introduction on June 25 of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would protect against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The measure was introduced by House Representatives Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis.
I know something about discrimination in the workplace. In 1992, while teaching at Northern Kentucky University, I was fired from my university teaching position for being "controversial" simply because I started the GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance or LGBT Group) and was honest about being gay. This situation was described as one of the worst cases of discrimination in the history of the school, the state and in the country. And, there was no legal recourse for me, a level-playing field of fairness and justice did not apply. This is why a federal law, ENDA, is absolutely necessary. More Light Presbyterians is one of over 400 organizations that supports a full-inclusive ENDA that offers workplace protection for both sexual orientation and gender identity. This national effort is called United-ENDA. www.unitedenda.org
The history of seeking to have nondiscrimination protection at the federal level began with the pioneering work of Bella Abzug and Ed Koch when they were serving in the US House of Representatives and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in 1974. One can do the match quickly, 35 years have passed and nondiscrimination protection in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity is still not a reality for millions of Americans and their families. Now is the time to get this right, this is a simple matter of fairness.
Rea Carey, Executive Director, NGLTF, Washington, DC remarked on June 25: “Today marks a critical milestone for our community and our country. Introduction of this important legislation signals the beginning of the end of a long-fought battle. ...ENDA reflects our country’s core values of fairness and equality. It is immoral to deny lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people the ability to earn a livelihood and provide for their families. People should not have to fear losing their job simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We are pleased that President Obama has expressed support for this legislation and expect the administration to play a role in assisting with its passage in both the House and Senate.”
What can do you? Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and have them connect you to your Representative (based on your zip code). Tell them:
I am a constituent and I would like you to please tell Representative _______ that I would like him/her to become a cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would ban discrimination against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace. Can you tell me whether or not Representative _______ has cosponsored the bill?
Share the ENDA Action Alert with your family, church, campus ministry, seminary community and network, simply cut and paste this ENDA Action Alert and send it out. Thank you.
ENDA is about simple fairness in the workplace and having the ability to make a living and take care of one's family. Let no one claim that this is about "special rights," for it is not and that is bearing false witness. These times of economic distress are tough enough without having to experience discrimination, or being fearful of losing one's job simply for being who they are or for being truthful. People of faith, Christians who believe in fairness, justice and equality, need to step up, speak out, call their Representative and encourage others to do the same.
PEP, the Presbyterian Equality Project of More Light Presbyterians calls all Presbyterians to support ENDA by making calls to their Representative and sharing the ENDA Action Alert within their own networks and communities. Now is the time to get this right, this is a simple matter of fairness.
Praying & Working for Justice,
Michael
Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., Executive Director & Field Organizer
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Sample Action Alert
People of Faith support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
As people of faith, we know that equality, justice and fairness apply to ALL of the Creator’s children, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. This week, Representative Barney Frank, joined by Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, introduced an fully-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.
As a person of faith, please consider taking the following steps this week:
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Call your representative:
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U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121.
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Identify yourself as a person of faith and a constituent.
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"As a person of faith and a constituent, I would like you to please tell Representative _______ that I would like him/her to become a cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would ban discrimination against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace. Can you tell me whether or not Representative _______ has cosponsored the bill?"
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Schedule a meeting with your member of Congress or his or her staff in a district office. Ask other members of your congregation to join you. If possible, have a mix of LGBT and non-LGBT folks at the meeting.
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Write a positive letter to the editor expressing support for ENDA. Call on your Representative and Senators to fight to pass an ENDA that includes all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and provide heartfelt reasons (like a personal story) for why it is the right thing to do.
For more information go to www.unitedenda.org. To let those working on ENDA know what your representative or staff says about supporting ENDA e-mail Laura.Hart@unitedenda.org. |
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