Support ENDA! May 14 07
COLAGE urges our members and allies to call their representatives and invite them to support the Employment Non Discrimination Act of 2007. (ENDA)
ENDA will ensure that individuals in this country will be evaluated in the workplace based on their merits. COLAGE supports the idea that individuals should not be prevented from supporting their families and contributing to the economic life of our nation because of characteristics that have no bearing whatsoever on the ability to do a job. We also believe that children and youth are going to be healthiest in families where their parents and/or guardians are able to find meaningful and respectful employment. Yet it remains legal in 33 states to fire or refuse to hire someone simply because of his or her sexual orientation; in 42 states it is legal to do so solely based on an individual's gender identity (e.g. male, female, transgender). Congress now has a chance to pass meaningful legislation that would end this injustice.
U.S. Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA), Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Christopher Shays (R-CT) have re-introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). ENDA (H.R. 2015) would extend fair employment practices under federal law to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. ENDA would not create any "special rights," but would simply offer Americans basic protections from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The U.S. public supports such protections: a May 2006 Gallup poll found that 89 percent believe gays and lesbians should have equal rights in the workplace. COLAGE agrees and further supports those equal rights for bisexual and transgender individuals.
Tell Congress that you support ENDA and that Congress must pass this critical anti-discrimination legislation. Urge your Representative to sponsor ENDA and help ensure its passage!
