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, Executive Director, Equality Federation
Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director, Family Equality Council
Lee Swislow, Executive Director, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
Jarrett Tomás Barrios, President, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
Joe Solmonese, President, Human Rights Campaign
Rachel T. Niven, Executive Director, Immigration Equality
Earl Fowlkes, President/CEO, International Federation of Black Prides, Inc.
Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director, Lambda Legal
Christian Berle, Director of the Log Cabin Republicans National Office
Sharon J. Lettman, Executive Director/CEO, National Black Justice Coalition
Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
Rebecca Fox, Executive Director, National Coalition for LGBT Health
Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
Michael Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats
Gregory Varnum, Executive Director, National Youth Advocacy Coalition
Selisse Berry, Founding Executive Director, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Jody Huckaby, Executive Director, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National
Jo Kenny, Interim Director, Pride at Work AFL-CIO
Masen Davis, Executive Director, Transgender Law Center
Additional organizations may be added.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Statement from GLAAD and ABC on ABC’s Decision to Cancel Performances by Adam Lambert
New York, NY, December 3, 2009 – After it was announced that ABC decided to cancel appearances by openly gay singer Adam Lambert on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Dick Clark’s ‘New Year's Rockin' Eve,' the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) spoke several times with ABC today regarding concerns that Adam Lambert was being held to a double standard.
After these discussions ABC issued the following statement to GLAAD:
After these discussions ABC issued the following statement to GLAAD:
"Given the live nature of the American Music Awards, Adam Lambert’s performance, which differed greatly from his rehearsal, caught many, including the network, off guard. This is not a question of Lambert’s sexual orientation. As is evidenced by GLAAD’s media report card, ABC is at the forefront of positive gay and lesbian portrayal on television. We welcome openly gay performers and look forward to continuing our great work within the LGBT community."
“It would appear that the kiss between Adam Lambert and his keyboardist did not factor into ABC’s decision,” said Jarrett Barrios, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). “ABC has a history of positive gay and transgender inclusion that includes featuring kisses between gay and lesbian couples on-air.”
“We applaud the visibility of openly gay performers and congratulate Adam Lambert for sharing his story on the Ellen DeGeneres Show this week as well as his upcoming appearance on The Jay Leno Show,” Barrios said.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
New York Senate Fails to Pass Marriage Equality Bill: Lambda Legal Says, "This isn't over."
(New York, December 2, 2009)—Today, the New York Senate took a long overdue vote on the marriage equality bill presented by Governor Paterson but failed to pass the measure, thereby denying equality to New York’s same-sex couples.
Statement from Susan Sommer, Director of Constitutional Litigation at Lambda Legal:
"We are disappointed but not discouraged by the New York Senate’s failure to finish the job started by Governor Paterson and the Assembly. The vote taken today denies justice to the thousands of same-sex couples in New York who are still not allowed to get married in their home state. "
"But justice and equality cannot be held back for long. Same-sex couples and their families deserve to be treated fairly, and New Yorkers understand that discrimination and exclusion is unfair. "
"As always, Lambda Legal will continue to make the case for equality and will continue to defend the state’s recognition of out-of-state marriages, as we did in New York’s highest court last month. But no matter how many times we defend families in court or how consistently the state upholds recognition of out-of-state marriages, same-sex couples in New York are still vulnerable to discrimination until they can marry in the state where they live. This is not over. "
Statement from Susan Sommer, Director of Constitutional Litigation at Lambda Legal:
"We are disappointed but not discouraged by the New York Senate’s failure to finish the job started by Governor Paterson and the Assembly. The vote taken today denies justice to the thousands of same-sex couples in New York who are still not allowed to get married in their home state. "
"But justice and equality cannot be held back for long. Same-sex couples and their families deserve to be treated fairly, and New Yorkers understand that discrimination and exclusion is unfair. "
"As always, Lambda Legal will continue to make the case for equality and will continue to defend the state’s recognition of out-of-state marriages, as we did in New York’s highest court last month. But no matter how many times we defend families in court or how consistently the state upholds recognition of out-of-state marriages, same-sex couples in New York are still vulnerable to discrimination until they can marry in the state where they live. This is not over. "
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Washington, D.C. Council Votes in Support of the Freedom to Marry
Look to New York and New Jersey to Continue the Momentum Toward Fairness
New York, December 1, 2009 — Statement by Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People's Right to Marry, following the District of Columbia City Council’s 11-2 vote in support of the freedom to marry, the first of two required votes:
“Today, the District of Columbia’s City Council listened to their constituents and overwhelmingly voted in support of protecting families throughout the District, the first of two votes needed by the council to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage. A majority of voters, and families, from across New York and New Jersey now look to their representatives in the state legislature to do the right thing and vote in support of the freedom to marry. As research has shown, by voting for the freedom to marry for gay couples, legislators in these states will continue to be re-elected just as every other state legislator who has voted in support of marriage equality and ran for re-election.”
New York, December 1, 2009 — Statement by Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People's Right to Marry, following the District of Columbia City Council’s 11-2 vote in support of the freedom to marry, the first of two required votes:
“Today, the District of Columbia’s City Council listened to their constituents and overwhelmingly voted in support of protecting families throughout the District, the first of two votes needed by the council to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage. A majority of voters, and families, from across New York and New Jersey now look to their representatives in the state legislature to do the right thing and vote in support of the freedom to marry. As research has shown, by voting for the freedom to marry for gay couples, legislators in these states will continue to be re-elected just as every other state legislator who has voted in support of marriage equality and ran for re-election.”
Take Action on ENDA Now!
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which was originally planned for a House vote in September or October of this year, then November, is now expected to be voted on in February 2010. This timing is particularly problematic because it would put ENDA into the Senate at a very difficult time for most Senators: a major legislative logjam, a major jobs initiative, midterm election campaigns, and a promised Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal.
"ENDA is a powerful piece of legislation that will prohibit workplace discrimination based on an employee's sexual orientation or gender identity under federal law, and is necessary because it is still legal to fire a person based on their sexual orientation in 29 states, and in 38 states it is legal to do so based on gender identity. The time has come for all workers to receive equitable treatment under the law," said Justin G. Nelson, Co-Founder and President of the NGLCC.
The House Committee on Education and Labor is responsible for moving ENDA out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives. Committee Chairman George Miller of California has stated that the bill is being held to vet language that has been vetted for years.
We encourage you and your members to reach out to Chairman Miller encouraging him to take immediate action on ENDA. His office can be reached at 202-225-3725.
To learn more about ENDA and NGLCC's complete slate of legislative advocacy, please visit www.nglcc.org/advocacy/legislative
"ENDA is a powerful piece of legislation that will prohibit workplace discrimination based on an employee's sexual orientation or gender identity under federal law, and is necessary because it is still legal to fire a person based on their sexual orientation in 29 states, and in 38 states it is legal to do so based on gender identity. The time has come for all workers to receive equitable treatment under the law," said Justin G. Nelson, Co-Founder and President of the NGLCC.
The House Committee on Education and Labor is responsible for moving ENDA out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives. Committee Chairman George Miller of California has stated that the bill is being held to vet language that has been vetted for years.
We encourage you and your members to reach out to Chairman Miller encouraging him to take immediate action on ENDA. His office can be reached at 202-225-3725.
To learn more about ENDA and NGLCC's complete slate of legislative advocacy, please visit www.nglcc.org/advocacy/legislative
Monday, November 30, 2009
ENDA in Jeopardy, and How To Get It Moving Again
By Dr. Jillian Weiss
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act bill (ENDA), which was originally planned for a House vote in September or October, then November, now looks like it's headed for a February landing. That's problematic because it puts ENDA into the Senate during an ultra-difficult time: a major legislative logjam, a major jobs initiative, midterm election campaigns, and a promised Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal.
The House Committee responsible for moving ENDA along, the House Committee on Education and Labor, has been slow-walking it, claiming that it needs some minor "tweaks" on language that has been vetted for years. Rex Wockner's blog today features quotes from some high profile activists questioning the delays, including political consultant Steve Hildebrand and former National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has also been quoted as saying that delay is not good.
Meanwhile, community action calls to Committee Chair George Miller of California over the past week have been unsuccessful in obtaining any statement or action. However, under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, three members of the Committee can demand a markup, which must be scheduled within three days. The names of friendly Committee members are provided after the jump so you can call and demand action.
A nation-wide community conference call has been scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 1st, at noon (ET) to discuss actions we can take to push a vote on ENDA now. It will last one hour. The agenda is posted after the jump. All are welcome, and I hope you will join us.
Register here: http://tinyurl.com/voteendanow
Click here for more info: http://bit.ly/7RqUPx">http://bit.ly/7RqUPx
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act bill (ENDA), which was originally planned for a House vote in September or October, then November, now looks like it's headed for a February landing. That's problematic because it puts ENDA into the Senate during an ultra-difficult time: a major legislative logjam, a major jobs initiative, midterm election campaigns, and a promised Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal.
The House Committee responsible for moving ENDA along, the House Committee on Education and Labor, has been slow-walking it, claiming that it needs some minor "tweaks" on language that has been vetted for years. Rex Wockner's blog today features quotes from some high profile activists questioning the delays, including political consultant Steve Hildebrand and former National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has also been quoted as saying that delay is not good.
Meanwhile, community action calls to Committee Chair George Miller of California over the past week have been unsuccessful in obtaining any statement or action. However, under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, three members of the Committee can demand a markup, which must be scheduled within three days. The names of friendly Committee members are provided after the jump so you can call and demand action.
A nation-wide community conference call has been scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 1st, at noon (ET) to discuss actions we can take to push a vote on ENDA now. It will last one hour. The agenda is posted after the jump. All are welcome, and I hope you will join us.
Register here: http://tinyurl.com/voteendanow
Click here for more info: http://bit.ly/7RqUPx">http://bit.ly/7RqUPx
Sunday, November 22, 2009
OUT is proud to introduce the new OUT University Scholarship Program!
OUT Scholarships are directly in line with our mission to connect and empower local organizations to share resources, skills and information, forging statewide strength in order to achieve equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Floridians.
Out first scholarship program begins this week in support of fundraising and board development trainings by realChange Partners (details below) for all our local member organizations.
Not a member of OUT yet, just click here and send us your application ... it's FREE! http://www.outfl.org/images/out_membership_form.pdf
To apply for a scholarship to these great realChange Partners fundraising and board development trainings, simply email us at OUTuniversity@OUTFL.org with your request. We only have a limited number of scholarships and the trainings begin this afternoon, so apply soon!
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