October 19, 2007
Employment Non-Discrimination Act update
We now know that the vote on HR 3685, which does not extend workplace protections on basis of gender identity, and on the Baldwin Amendment, that will seek to reinstate those protections, will take place in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, October 24.
This gives us this weekend and two days of next week to galvanize voting support for the Baldwin Amendment.
If your church or congregation or group will allow it, below the line in this email is a flyer that can be locally reproduced as a bulletin insert or handout at church or other meetings between now and when the vote is scheduled to be taken:
People of Faith Support a
TRULY INCLUSIVE ENDA!
We have one last chance to protect all members of the LGBT community from workplace discrimination. After the non-inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) worked its way through committee, Rep Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) pledged to offer an amendment to add gender identity protections back into the bill when it reaches the House floor this week.
The incredible outpouring of support for a bill that protects the entire LGBT community is the reason that we have this chance. As people of faith, we know that equality, justice, and fairness apply to ALL of the Creator's children.
WHAT CAN I DO?
As a person of faith, please consider taking the following steps this week:
- Call your representative: [US Capitol switchboard 202.224.3121]
- Identify yourself as a person of faith and a constituent.
- Tell them that, as a person of faith, you are asking that they support the Baldwin Amendment to HR 3685 that would add gender identity protections back into ENDA.
- Schedule a meeting with your member of Congress or his or her staff in a district office sometime before October 24. Ask other members of your congregations to join you. If possible, have a mix of transgender and non-transgender folks at the meeting.
