Bilerico has asked bloggers to "swarm" around ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. House Speaker Pelosi is holding up this legislation which would provide employment protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Why We Need To Demand ENDA Now
We know that Speaker Pelosi is sympathetic to our cause. Clearly, she needs encouragement, because she won't commit to giving the signal to move forward. Meanwhile, LGBT Americans continue to suffer discrimination and harassment with no recourse. Why should we accept mere lip service?
President Obama famously said that "Power concedes nothing without a fight."
The tide in the LGBT community is moving toward standing up against Democrats who are tepid on our issues and show no willingness to demonstrate leadership to protect minorities which is a hallmark of the Democratic party. Right? Hence my ongoing frustration with Chief Executive Dan Onorato, but let's not go there. As Dr. Jillian Weiss, the leader on ENDA, has remarked "If the base stays home in November, Speaker Pelosi will be out of job." We are a force to reckoned with and to accomplish that we need you to take action on ENDA with as much enthuasiam as you showed on the Marriage Amendment this week.
Won't it be nice to be pushing FOR rights instead of AGAINST losing them?
It is legal for you to be fired if you are gay unless you live in a municipality that protects you. It took until 2009 for Allegheny County to make that move. If you work in Cranberry, you are screwed. People across this nation lack this basic protection that should be a national standard. How many of you have to "be discrete" at work about your partner? It is exhausting and it erodes your ability to form natural bonds with your team if you have to censor yourself all the time. It is also demoralizing that people can be fired for the perception that they are gay.
I once had a coworker get away with bashing me for being gay. She complained about my "bringing that" into the workplace when I made an innocent comment referencing my partner. I was pooh-poohed by management which I have never forgotten. A few years later, a senior manager sent around an email with a vulgar, demeaning reference to lesbians. I filed a complaint and was not pooh-poohed, but I know damn well that filing complaints impacts your employment in subtle ways. I was fortunate enough to have the Ciy's non-discrimination ordinance to back up my complaint. My job was not in jeopardy, but my ability to move up was probably dampened. Standing up to discrimination at work is very difficult and draining.
We need our leaders to champion safe workplaces for LGBTQ persons. Enough with the capitulation and the hesitancy. This is about doing what's right for people who are suffering at the hands of bigots.
Please call Speaker Nancy Pelosi at 202-225-4965. Ask that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, HR 3017, move to a vote.
Please be polite, but firm.
After you call, please tell us how the call went by clicking here. If you get a busy signal or hang up, let us know that too.
If you want more information on Speaker Pelosi's position on ENDA as stated by her office, you can find it here
Let's work together to let Speaker Pelosi know that we want action now!
At the end of the day, we will post a round-up of how the day went. Stay tuned.
