ENDA Now.

Today, we came one step closer to passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA – H.R. 3017). The House Education and Labor Committee held a full committee hearing on this bill, about the importance of protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees from workplace discrimination. It was refreshing to hear lawmakers who are supportive of this bill in Illinois and throughout the country, but also disheartening to hear the testimony of individuals who have faced discrimination such as getting fired for being LGBT. 

According to numerous surveys, 60 percent of likely voters in the United States support a federal employment non-discrimination law that protects workers from discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity.  [It is important to note that many labor unions have protections in their contracts which include LGBT workers, and many U.S. corporations also have workplace non-discrimination policies in place and support ENDA.]

Since a majority of Americans support this bill, we have to be the ones to put pressure on the lawmakers to pass it.  This bill is now squarely pending before our nation’s lawmakers, and we need to be vocal and visible about our support!  Congress must hear from every one of us – to say thank you for cosponsoring the bill or asking the Congressperson to support it.  They have to feel the urgency from us as their constituents.   

Workplace discrimination is a real problem that affects real people.  LGBT employees work just as hard and contribute just as much as other workers, and should not have to fear losing their job because of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Congress must hear from you that ENDA is a priority, that you want it, and that you need it.  If you haven’t contacted your Representative and your two Senators, http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.  If you already have, please do it again.  It is up to all who care about equality to pass this bill.  ENDA’s time is right now.

Go ENDA (Employment Non Discrimination Act)!

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was recently introduced (Aug 5th!) in the Senate by Senator Jeff Merkley (OR-D) joined by Senators Susan Collins (ME-R) and Edward M. Kennedy (MA-D) and is a companion bill to H.R. 3017.

The introduction of this bill marks an important day for supporters of fairness and equality. Workplace protections for LGBT people are urgently needed and long overdue. The passage of this bill is so important because it would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation AND gender identity.

Currently, twelve states, the District of Columbia, and more than 100 localities have non-discrimination protections that protect all LGBT workers, covering nearly 40 percent of Americans. Illinois is included in the twelve states under the Human Rights Act of 2005. This Act covers both sexual orientation and gender identity.

Labor unions have been key in protecting LGBT workers in their contracts and more than 150 Fortune 500 companies have enacted non-discrimination policies protecting LGBT workers. These advancements are a testament to the heroic efforts of local advocates and visionary leaders. These gains are also evidence of the overwhelming public support for employment protections for LGBT workers. Anti-discrimination measures have helped to protect workers in many places, but millions more remain unprotected. LGBT people continue to remain invisible on the job and many suffer open harassment and discrimination simply because of who they are. Passing ENDA will go a long way to rectify this inequity and indignity.

According to numerous surveys, 60 percent of likely voters in the United States support an inclusive federal employment non-discrimination law. The time to pass ENDA is now.

Thank Senator Durbin and Senator Burris for co-sponsoring this bill and urge your U.S. Representative (if they aren’t already) to sponsor the bill in the U.S. House.

Congress needs to move it.

Okay, I have to say it. I am disappointed and let down that Congress didn’t get rid of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Out of all the legislation that I thought would actually make it to the table, this one seemed the most viable. A majority of Americans support getting rid of the law that fires a soldier if they come out. That means VOTERS. I know that there is an economy to fix and health care to reform, but wouldn’t having soldiers -keep- their job be a good thing, especially during wartime?

I recently traveled abroad and I get this feeling that we are starting to fall behind in our so-called distribution of equal rights. Germany (where most of my extended family lives) allows what would be the equivalency of civil unions here since marriage is strictly divided between civic and religious there. Not to mention, Albania, yes ALBANIA announced yesterday that they were drafting a law to legalize same sex civil marriage.

What?

It is still LAWFUL in most states to fire individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Loving, committed couple can’t get married legally in 45 states. Federal hate crimes legislation does NOT include sexual orientation and gender identity. Again I say, what? If we [the U.S.] is to be the democratic model for other countries to follow than we have a little catch-up to do. Let’s do it!

Hate Crimes Legislation, LONG Overdue

Lawrence King, Steen Keith Fenrich, Allen R. Schindler, Brandon Teena, Charles Howard, Matthew Shepard…all victims of hate crimes. Why? They were murdered because they were LGBT. Currently U.S. law does not include sexual orientation or gender identity in the prosecution of a hate crime (Illinois has provisions for sexual orientation). We have the possibility of changing that on a national level with the “The Mathew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.”

This bill has already passed the U.S. House but is now currently in the Senate waiting for a vote. It would send a message to all those perpetrators of the heinous crimes above, and numerous others, that extreme hate against LGBT individuals is NOT tolerated and will be prosecuted more stringently.

Senator Dick Durbin needs to hear this from you! Call him and tell him to pass the Mathew Shepard Hate Crimes bill, S.909 at 202-224-2152. Do it TODAY. If you are outside Illinois, you can call the Capitol switchboard and ask for your Senator at 202-224-3121 or use the online congressional directory – http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

Our laws have to protect everyone and the reality is that people out there still persecute others and will even take that hate to murder because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity. Society needs fixing and this is a place to start – include LGBT individuals!

Thanks to those who came before us!

Before I start, I just wanted to say that my heart and thoughts go out to those Iranians who have braved the streets and protested for what they thought was right. I have participated in many a protest here, but never with the fear of violence or death.

As I am in my early 30’s, it is only appropriate to thank those who marched and protested before us (and paved the way!): whether it was for labor rights, women’s rights, civil rights or -in honor of the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall- for LGBT rights. Thank-you, as we know that you endured some difficult times and even violence so that the generations to come might have it better. We wouldn’t be able to have the conversations (and laws) about ENDA, marriage/civil unions, repealing don’t ask don’t tell, etc without you!

One thing that has been on my mind lately is “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I really don’t understand the rational behind keeping such an arcane rule in place. Everyday citizens support the measure to repeal it (by 69%!) and even “conservatives” support the repeal by 58%. Senator Roland Burris was in the Equality Illinois office on June 22 stating his support of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell standing alongside veterans, PFLAG’ers and folks from Equality Illinois. So what are we waiting for??? We need these military personnel to help with Iraq and Afghanistan to name a few. Do it, White House, put these wheels in motion. It is a silly rule that maybe at the time worked but is now OUTDATED.

FYI, The Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) is being introduced today (including gender identity!). Let’s pass this too, while we’re at it. NO one deserves to be fired for who THEY ARE. Call or email your U.S. Representative and tell them to support/co-sponsor this bill.

Poll shows shift in FAVOR of service members who are openly gay or lesbian

When I came across a Gallup poll entitled “Conservatives Shift in Favor of Openly Gay Service Members,” I was truly pleased. (http://www.gallup.com/poll/120764/Conservatives-Shift-Favor-Openly-Gay-Service-Members.aspx)

Though “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has not been repealed (which it should be…do it already), the fact that support for openly gay service members has shifted over 10 percentage points is something to take notice of. I have to think that this, on top of the recent wins in New Hampshire, Iowa, etc regarding marriage rights, is taking this country in a direction that we need to go. Towards equality.

Just wanted to share…

Civil Unions NOW

I have to say that the written word is powerful but sometimes being out and talking to folks face to face is just as effective – plus I really enjoy it.  I’ve talked to a variety of people in last weeks and feel that the positive conversations far outnumbered the negative when talking about the civil union bill (SB 1716).  I am truly thankful for all the dedicated Illinoisans across the state, L(esbian), G(ay), B(isexual), T(ransgender) and A(llies) who have made a concerted effort to let their support for SB 1716 be known and be ACTIVELY involved.

I was at the Youth and Family Committee hearing on Tuesday concerning the civil union bill and I have to say that I just don’t get the opposition’s viewpoint (which unfortunately tends to mainly come from religious institutions). It is ironic in my mind as I was always taught to “love my neighbor as myself.” I don’t see how limiting someone else’s rights is living by that credo. There are so many religions out there that accept ALL people, and it is important to note that many of the leaders and congregants of those religions have come out strong in FAVOR of the bill.  Unfortunately, it makes for a better news story to hear what religion is against LGBT rights, so that is what we end up seeing the most.

I wonder if these religious leaders who preach intolerance realize that they are NOT speaking on behalf of all the congregants and followers that they “represent.“  Fifty years ago there were clergy preaching against interracial marriage and lamenting that if it happened it would erode marriage as we know it. It didn’t happen. Fast forward and substitute LGBT folks getting married…no one’s marriage, using IA and MA as an example, has been eroded so far as I can tell.  So why would civil unions do that in Illinois?

There were quite a few young people (LGBT and A) who came to the committee meeting on Tuesday. I wish that each legislator who is on the fence or against this bill would’ve had a chance to talk to these bright individuals and realize that when they speak against “homosexuals” they are speaking against young people who already dealing with bullies and homophobic slurs. I wish they could see that by opposing bills such as the civil union bill that they perpetuate this cycle of hate (maybe not directly but more indirectly by their words and actions).

So I say call those reps and call those organizations, that supposedly speak for you in the name of religion, and tell them how you feel. It is truly that now or never time as the sessions ends this Sunday, May 31.

Momentum, let’s use it!

I have to admit that is has been a little while since I’ve written anything, but I will chalk it up to being actively involved in the struggle for equality which has taken up a lot of time as of late. Is that an okay excuse?

April was an exciting month for me as we did everything from phone banking to lobbying to canvassing (one of MY personal FAVS). I know that some people hear canvassing and all of a sudden get the urge to run, but I have to say that most people (whose doors we knocked on) were pretty amiable. Not everyone agreed of course but no one ran us out of town or slammed the door in our faces. It’s the little things…

Actually I think those of us who have been working hard to make civil unions a reality found it refreshingly surprising that there is such support out there. I am not talking the “usual suspects” area either…I am talking southwest and western suburbs, downstate. Now if only their reps would agree!

I am proud of the people who have been helping getting postcards signed, calling their reps and hitting the streets. We had about 150-175 people at lobby day alone and again people came from all parts of the state to tell their reps to just pass civil union legislation already! Keep the pressure and momentum up. If it’s one thing we hear over and over again it’s that legislators use the excuse of “not hearing from their constituents” to justify why they would be against equality.

Get involved, you can do it – even if you’ve never done it before, we need you NOW.

Progress

Who supports the effort Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender equality? Members of the LGBTQ community, liberal voters, allies, and… John McCain’s former campaign manager? Yep! Well, maybe he isn’t ready to switch parties but he sure is trying to make the GOP a more welcoming one! At the Log Cabin Republican’s national convention, Steve Schmidt criticized the Republican Party and its need to be “…a far more open party — one which did not consider gay marriage to be a ‘litmus test’ issue.” This statement has been considered shocking to both parties, as neither expected this issue to be publicized on such a large scale.

It sure made me stop in my tracks and listen to what he was saying.

There are Republicans in Illinois and across the country that have been an integral part in voting for and implementing pro LGBT legislation, but it hasn’t been part of the whole party’s platform of inclusion.  I hope that the allies that exist in Republican party, keep pushing their colleagues and voters to accept equality and fairness for everyone.   Steve Schmidt gets it and I hope that knowledge is contagious.

Keeping my fingers crossed and activism alive…

Lauren

GET ACTIVE!!!

Iowa declares the ban on gay marriage unconstitutional, the house and senate of Vermont overpowers the governor’s veto of legalizing same sex marriage, and Washington D.C. decides to recognize these and other similar laws of other states! Every other day, a new state seems to be breaking from the majority and joining the elite group of states that recognize these basic human rights.

Now, many look at this news and think, “Illinois? How can we not have these rights? If THEY can do it, why can’t WE?!” Well thinking alone isn’t going to be the way to pass HB2234 (The Illinois Civil Union and Religious Equality Bill). What we need is ACTION. If you haven’t heard, April is THE month for action. This is your chance to make a difference; this is your chance to be a part of history in Illinois. How can you get involved? Easy! You can come with Equality Illinois, Allied for Equality, PFLAG and numerous other LGBTA groups to canvass in suburban neighborhoods, lobby in Springfield, or even just send out postcards to friends and family.

Canvass: To RSVP/reserve a space for canvassing, click here:

April 18th: http://eqfed.org/equality_illinois/events/apr18_cu_canvass_day/details.tcl

April 25th: http://eqfed.org/equality_illinois/events/apr25_cu_canvass_day/details.tcl

Lobby Day: April 29, 2009 we will be loading buses to visit Springfield for a lobby day. This event will be huge and impactful, and transportation is provided. Visit http://eqfed.org/equality_illinois/events/lobbyday_apr_09_attendees/details.tcl to RSVP- space is limited!

Send Postcards: Contact cstaerk@eqil.org to find out how you can send postcards supporting Civil Unions in Illinois to your friends and family.

Remember, NOW is the time to be active! Make your voice heard!
Lauren