Action Alert: Inclusive ENDA Introduced! Urge Your Senators to Support Crucial Legislation

Today, Senator Jeff Merkley (OR-D) joined by Senators Susan Collins (ME-R), Olympia Snowe (ME-R), and Edward M. Kennedy (MA-D) introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in an important show of bipartisan support. This bill, which would extend existing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, is much needed and long overdue.

On June 24, 2009 an inclusive bill was reintroduced in the House by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) and include co-sponsors IIeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jared Polis (D-CO), Michael Castle (R-DE), George Miller (D-CA), Mark Kirk (R-IL), John Conyers (D-MI), Todd Platts (R-PA), Robert Andrews (D-NJ), and Leonard Lance (R-NJ). The bill is currently pending before the House of Representatives.

We have a good chance of passing this bill, but we need your help! President Obama has said that he is ready to sign this bill. All we need now is for the Senate to act.

It is essential that you contact your Senators and urge them to support ENDA and ask them to become a co-sponsor. Becoming a co-sponsor shows other members of Congress that your Senator will stand in solidarity with our community, which helps build momentum for the bill’s passage.

Take Action Now! Email your Senators the message below and ask them to co-sponsor ENDA! Email your Senators now!

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.

Schedule a Visit!
The August recess is coming up, and it is a perfect time to schedule a meeting with your Representatives and Senators about the importance of ENDA. ENDA could be voted on in the House as early as late September!

Sample meeting request letters and other talking points and resources are available in the following toolkits:
The Task Force ENDA Grassroots Toolkit (pdf)
National Center for Transgender Equality’s ENDA Toolkit (pdf)
PFLAG’s Bringing the Message Home

Email your Senators Now!

Subject: Please Support and Co-Sponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by a group of bi-partisan Senators, recently introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would extend 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.

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 rectifying this indignity.

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

Thank you.

Then, please tell your friends and family to do the same.

In Solidarity,

Kate Kendell, Esq.
Executive Director
National Center for Lesbian Rights