ALERT: Stand for an Inclusive ENDA!

From National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

Last week, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their friends — just like you — delivered an uncompromising message to Congress: Vote for an Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that protects all LGBT people (H.R. 2015), and don’t settle for a substitute bill that leaves some people behind (H.R. 3685).

Congress heard you and postponed a vote on a substitute bill. But we expect a new vote to be scheduled soon — maybe as soon as next week. There is no time to waste!

We know why it’s so critical that transgender people be included in ENDA. One-third of transgender people report facing employment discrimination at some time in their life. And you can’t separate discrimination against transgender people from discrimination against the rest of our community. For example, many gay and bisexual men get taunted for “acting like a girl.” Many lesbians are criticized for “being too butch.” We all face anti-transgender bias, even if we don’t identify as transgender ourselves.

Congress is listening to us and is making up its mind about which bill to move forward — a bill that provides protections based on gender identity or a bill that does not. Your representative needs to hear from you, and needs to hear our message loud and clear.

Please, right now, make a phone call to your representative. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121. An operator will connect you with your representative’s office. When a staff person answers, tell them:

“I’m a constituent and I am calling about one bill I support and another I oppose. I support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, H.R. 2015, which protects all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination. However, I urge you to oppose any motion or amendment that would strip out transgender protections, or any bill without transgender protections (such as H.R. 3685). We are one community and we want to move forward with one bill that protects all of us. Thank you.”

Click here to send an e-mail to your representative.

Click for a list of U.S. House members.