It's Time for ENDA
Dateline: 08/21/98
As a follow-up to the previous feature about the Darden Restaurant position on hiring gays and lesbians, I thought it might be time to revisit the question of civil rights for gays and lesbians in the area of employment.
By the way, the majority of you had no interest in giving your business to businesses that discriminate.
(Please note: Darden Restaurant has since backed down on their challenge to the Ohio law. A plausible explanation has been provided, although I do have to wonder about the overzealous counsel.)
Two years ago, on September 10, 1996, the Senate failed to pass ENDA (Employment Non Discrimination Act) which would prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. This protection would apply not only to gay and lesbian workers, but also to non-gays and lesbians who are perceived as gay.
Primarily the legislation states that there shall be no discrimination based upon sexual orientation, and has many exemptions in order to stave off some of the more customary arguments.
Exemptions included companies with fewer than 15 employees, the armed forces (sigh), and religious organizations including religious educational institutions.
ENDA also specifically prohibited quotas or preferential treatment, something that naysayers quite often raise as a flag when attacking any equal rights legislation. (They don't want to be called bigots so they'll say, "Of course we don't want to discriminate, but nor do we want to be forced to hire X number of Y people so we just can't support this bill.")
Considering that Congress recently voted not to overturn President Clinton's order to bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in federal employment by a wide margin, the time might be ripe to revisit ENDA, and attempt its passage.
All seats in the House of Representatives are up for election this September, along with one-third of the seats in the Senate. Contact your Congressperson and Senator and find out their position on ENDA. If they're against it, let them know you're against their position (unless you're not, and then we really have to talk). Fine out whether their opponent is for ENDA. If you don't vote for your rights, who will?
Use the information below to help you formulate your arguments, and let your voice be heard:
Why ENDA is Needed
Statistics on Gays and Lesbians in the Workplace
What ENDA Will and Won't Do
ACLU Testimony on ENDA Barney Frankly on ENDA (Transcript)
Human Rights Campaign Fact Sheet (notes widespread support)
Who Supports ENDA
Most Recent List of Co-Sponsors
Representative Christopher Shays on ENDA
Senator Edward M. Kennedy on ENDA
Various Supportive Quotes on ENDA
What the Bad Guys Say
Make Your Voice Heard
If your senators and representative are not on the cosponsor list, contact them at:
US Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3121or
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 225-3121
In pride,
Deborah
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