Importance of ENDA

This speaks directly to the misinformation so many people seem to have about whether GLBT persons already have protections against discrimination.  The map might help some uninformed people to see why there's a need for things like the GI non-discrimination ordinance, and more nationally, ENDA.


*Dear Judith,*

Today, October 11, is National Coming Out Day – started in the late
1980's to raise up the lives of those who openly identified as LGBT and
to give hope to people who hadn't yet come out of the closet.

I've been privileged to spend most of my adult career working on LGBT
issues and in environments where my sexual orientation wasn’t an issue
at all. But many people don't have the privileges or freedoms in the
workplace I've taken for granted for so many years. *Despite the
remarkable progress made by the LGBT community there are still no clear
protections for workers, meaning it's still risky for many to be out in
the workplace*.

That's why the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is so
important to protect people in the workplace based on sexual orientation
and gender identity. ENDA isn't about special rights – it would protect
non-LGBT people as well – it's about leveling the playing field to
ensure that applicants and employees are judged based on their
qualifications and performance and not who they are, how they present
themselves, or who they love.

On this National Coming Out Day, stand up for an America where everyone
can be out at work without fear of losing their job because of who they
are or whom they love – *share the image below on your Facebook profile*

<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=emLXLiO5KuK9JkP8F&s=kvL1IaPPImIZL9PVLvE&m=fhKOLZOGLiJQL9K>,
and***sign our petition to pass ENDA*

<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=7pKJKYOvF5JDIROHG&s=kvL1IaPPImIZL9PVLvE&m=fhKOLZOGLiJQL9K>.


<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=btIRKaMLKcKUIbOZE&s=kvL1IaPPImIZL9PVLvE&m=fhKOLZOGLiJQL9K>


<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=btIRKaMLKcKUIbOZE&s=kvL1IaPPImIZL9PVLvE&m=fhKOLZOGLiJQL9K>

And, if it feels right and safe, be honest with your co-workers when
having conversations in the workplace. The more people who have visible
LGBT colleagues the more people will accept us as equals.

Rea Carey       Sincerely,

Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force


<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ckLTIdMPLaJSLeN4E&s=kvL1IaPPImIZL9PVLvE&m=fhKOLZOGLiJQL9K&af=y>
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The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force builds the power of the lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender community from the ground up. The Task
Force is the country's premier social justice organization fighting to
improve the lives of LGBT people, and working to create positive,
lasting change and opportunity for all. The Task Force is a 501(c)(3)
corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C. Contributions to the Task
Force are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. © 2012,
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite
600, Washington, D.C., 20005. Phone 202-393-5177. TTY 202-393-2284.
*theTaskForce@theTaskForce.org* theTaskForce@theTaskForce.org>.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
202.393.5177
*www.thetaskforce.org*

<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=8qKLJ0PEIkLPKRPGF&s=kvL1IaPPImIZL9PVLvE&m=fhKOLZOGLiJQL9K>
*www.thetaskforceblog.org*

<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=btIRK9MQKnKVI1OTE&s=kvL1IaPPImIZL9PVLvE&m=fhKOLZOGLiJQL9K>

*Spread the word

*<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ewKXKiN2IqI1KbN6G&s=kvL1IaPPImIZL9PVLvE&m=fhKOLZOGLiJQL9K>

<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=7pLJLXPALjLNIRMFE&s=kvL1IaPPImIZL9PVLvE&m=fhKOLZOGLiJQL9K>