LGBT AMERICANS OUTRAGED AT DELAY IN BASIC JOB RIGHTS

In light of continuing delays in the House of Representatives, we must state clearly and unequivocally: Passing basic job protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people must happen now. At a time when our government is deeply focused on the critical issue of employment, it is inexcusable to delay action on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Each and every job lost to prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity needlessly compounds the unemployment challenges facing our nation. We call on Congress for the immediate passage of ENDA.

For decades now, we have called upon Congress to pass legislation to address the basic right of LGBT people to work free from discrimination at our jobs, and now Congress tells us we must wait another year. In 29 states, it remains legal to fire people based on sexual orientation and in 38 states, discrimination based on gender identity remains legal. In failing to take swift action to pass ENDA, our government allows unfettered bigotry to go unchecked, leading to the loss of jobs, fear in the workplace, economic instability, and personal hardship, while allowing employers to lose competent experienced workers. ENDA is urgently needed by our communities. The majority of Americans consistently state their support for employment protections and voters have affirmed similar state and local measures. There is absolutely no reason for Congress to continue to delay this non-controversial bill or drop LGBT issues to the bottom of their agenda. We will not be denied basic rights any longer. Nothing is more important than protecting peoples’ jobs so ENDA must pass now. Further delays are absolutely unacceptable. Matthew Coles & James Esseks, Co-Directors, American Civil Liberties Union LGBT Project Terry Stone, Executive Director, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers Toni Broaddus, director ejecutivo, Federación de Igualdad Jennifer Chrisler, directora ejecutiva, Family Equality Council Lee Swislow, Director Ejecutivo, Defensores y Defensores de Gays y Lesbianas Jarrett Tomás Barrios, presidente de la Alianza de Gays y Lesbianas contra la Difamación Joe Solmonese, presidente, Campaña de Derechos Humanos Rachel T. Niven, Executive Director, Immigration Equality Earl Fowlkes, presidente / director ejecutivo de la Federación Internacional de Orgullos Negros, Inc. Kevin Cathcart, director ejecutivo de Lambda Legal Christian Berle, director de la Oficina Nacional Republicana de Log Cabin Sharon J. Lettman, Directora Ejecutiva / CEO, Coalición Nacional por la Justicia Negra Kate Kendell, directora ejecutiva, Centro Nacional para los Derechos de las Lesbianas Mara Keisling, directora ejecutiva, Centro Nacional para la Igualdad Transgénero Rebecca Fox, Executive Director, National Coalition for LGBT Health Rea Carey, Directora Ejecutiva, Fondo de Acción del Grupo de Trabajo Nacional para Gays y Lesbianas Michael Mitchell, director ejecutivo, demócratas nacionales de Stonewall Gregory Varnum, Director Ejecutivo, Coalición Nacional de Defensa de la Juventud Selisse Berry, directora ejecutiva fundadora de Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Jody Huckaby, Directora Ejecutiva, Padres, Familias y Amigos de Lesbianas y Gays (PFLAG) Nacional Jo Kenny, director interino, Orgullo en el trabajo AFL-CIO Masen Davis, director ejecutivo, Transgender Law Center Se pueden agregar organizaciones adicionales.