February 26, 2002: Support ENDA - Fight Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation - Contact Senators Frist and Thompson

Dear Friends,

This week the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on S. 1284, the "Employment Non-Discrimination Act" or ENDA. This legislation, which hasn't received a hearing in over four years, would protect against workplace discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation. Matt Coles, the director of the ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights Project, will be testifying.

Urge your Senators to support ENDA and attend the hearing! See below for talking points and contact information (omitted for web). Thank you.

Support the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA)

In Tennessee and across most of the United States, it is perfectly legal to fire someone from their job solely because of their sexual orientation. Federal law could remedy this, but for the last several years, Congress has been unable to agree on legislation that would outlaw discrimination in the workplace based on real or perceived sexual orientation.

Despite a defeat by the narrowest margin in the Senate in 1996, the Republican leadership has refused to bring the bill - the Employment Non-Discrimination Act or ENDA (S. 1284/H.R. 2692) - up for votes since then. Currently, there are 189 House and 44 Senate ENDA cosponsors. Over 120 organizations endorse ENDA.

The time has come for Congress to pass the important legislation and ensure basic fairness for all employees.

People should be judged at work by their performance, not by whom they choose to love.

In 38 states it is perfectly legal to fire someone because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. Otherwise qualified individuals can also be denied job opportunities and promotion with absolutely no legal recourse.

Workplace fairness is a basic American value.

Polls consistently show that a vast majority of Americans oppose workplace discrimination. A 1999 Gallup poll showed that 83 percent of Americans surveyed support equality in job opportunities. Three Princeton Survey Research Associates surveys conducted between 1996 and 1998 show support at 83 percent to 84 percent, as well.

ENDA is about equal rights, not special rights.

ENDA does not call for any special treatment for gays and lesbians. It explicitly prohibits preferential treatment and quotas, and excludes the military and businesses with fewer than 15 employees.

Many thanks,
Hedy Weinberg, Executive Director