ACLU, HRC and the
National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force Seek
Workplace Discrimination Stories
for Upcoming Push for
ENDA
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE, aclu.org February 26, 2007
WASHINGTON -- The American
Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force are working together to engage more gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender Americans in the national campaign to end workplace
discrimination for LGBT workers. The campaign, which urges LGBT people who
have faced job discrimination to share their story, will be used to boost
lobbying efforts for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a federal bill which
would protect LGBT people against workplace discrimination, and for similar
state proposals.
"With the new Congress, there is a very real opportunity to pass ENDA," said
Caroline Fredrickson, Director of ACLU Washington Legislative Office. "But
nothing is assured. That's why we're seeking LGBT people who will share
their stories of workplace discrimination, to demonstrate to lawmakers the vital
need for this legislation. Our most powerful tools are the voices of
people who have been fired or denied a job because of their sexual orientation
or gender identity, and we want to hear from everyone who has experienced this
discrimination."
The groups have set up an online survey, available at
www.aclu.org/lgbt,
www.hrc.org, and
www.thetaskforce.org,
that encourages LGBT people who have experienced job discrimination to share
their stories. They are looking for people from all walks of life who have
held all kinds of jobs: from fast food and construction workers to
teachers and brain surgeons. The groups acknowledge that proof of
anti-LGBT bias will be important to persuading lawmakers but note that proof can
come in many forms.
"Employment discrimination strikes at the fundamental American value -- the
right of each qualified, hardworking individual to do his or her job and
contribute to society without facing discrimination or being fired simply for
who they are," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Workplace discrimination
exists, yet many will not come forward for fear of retribution. We are
calling on those victims to join us and help us pass the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act."
With the recent change in makeup of both the House and Senate, the advocacy
groups believe that we now have a real opportunity to pass ENDA. The bill
would protect against workplace discrimination based on both sexual orientation
and gender identity.
"People sharing their painful stories is essential in shattering the myth that
discrimination against us is rare or a thing of the past," said Matt Foreman,
Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Putting a
human face on this injustice has made all the difference in passing
nondiscrimination legislation at the state and local level and will be critical
in putting ENDA over the top this year."
Several states will also be pushing for non-discrimination laws this year.
The ACLU, HRC and the National Lesbian and Gay Task Force will also be sharing
the stories collected with statewide LGBT lobbying groups pressing for state
protections. Anyone who submits a story will be contacted first before any
of the information is made public.
A link to the survey as well as additional information about ENDA is available
at www.aclu.our/lgbt;
www.hrc.org, and
www.thetaskforce.org.
To hear a podcast by Matt Coles, Director of the ACLU's Lesbian Gay Bisexual
Transgender Project, explaining why non-discrimination laws are so critical,
visit:
www.aclu.org/lgbt/discrim/28613res20070226.html
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