October 22, 2007

ENDA – Employment Non-Discrimination Act – Still time to act to support the Baldwin amendment

There is still time if you have not taken action on this.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act currently before the House of Representatives, HR 3685, contains workplace protections only for sexual orientation, but not for gender identity. If passed, Rep Tammy Baldwin's amendment to HR 3685 will reinstate protections for gender identity.

The vote on both is on Wednesday, the 24th of October.

If you have not done so, contact your US Congress representative by phone or email. Tell your representative that you favor the Baldwin Amendment to HR 3685. Further, say that the reason you favor the Baldwin Amendment is because you oppose leaving a portion of the LGBT community unprotected against discrimination in the workplace.

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your Representative based on your zip code. Here is a suggested voice message:

Hello, my name is _____ and I live in your district. I am calling to ask the Representative to support the Baldwin Amendment to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The Baldwin Amendment adds gender identity protections back into ENDA and it is critically important to me that all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are protected by this legislation. I only support passage of HR 3685 if the Baldwin amendment passes. Thank you.

Or, e-mail your representative today!

Suggested text of email:

Dear Representative (     ),

I am writing to urge you to support the Baldwin Amendment to HR 3685, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which is likely going to be voted on next week on the floor.

The Baldwin Amendment restores the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to its original language with gender identity protections intact.

The gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and those who support their struggle for social justice is one community. That united community wants to move forward together with one unified bill. As you have heard over the past few weeks, the majority of that united community, myself included, opposes moving forward with a sexual orientation-only bill.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

End of Email