Bilerico is hosting a blogswarm today convincing folks to call Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office to demand she move the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to a floor vote.
Despite hearings last fall that consisted of testimony on the unemployment, underemployment and harassment that LGBT workers experience on a regular basis, and despite the fact that the House Committee has indicated to Speaker Pelosi that they're waiting for her instructions to move on the bill, no action has been taken on her part. So Bilerico and others are having bloggers and their readers swarm Pelosi's office to convince her to do the right thing.
A survey of transgender workers shows that 97% reported experiencing harassment at their job and 26% lost their jobs because of their gender identity. Another study shows that 16%-68% of LGBT employees have experienced discrimination at work. Here's Bilerico's call to action:
Will you join with us in asking that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people be protected from job discrimination?Please call Speaker Nancy Pelosi at 202-225-4965. Ask that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, HR 3017, move to a vote.
Please be polite, but firm.
After you call, please tell us how the call went by clicking here. If you get a busy signal or hang up, let us know that too.
If you want more information on Speaker Pelosi's position on ENDA as stated by her office, you can find it here.
Let's work together to let Speaker Pelosi know that we want action now!
Bilerico will be posting a round-up of action taken at the end of the day, so check back there for updates, and for more information about the history of ENDA and why now is the time to act.
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Today? Really? I mean, yes, of course the ENDA should be passed, but does anyone think that this week is really a good time to try to get the Speaker's attention?
Better yet, call and say that this type of very transphobic language needs to be taken out of the bill... http://www.transadvocate.com/genital-checking-bad-enda-language-and-ncte-lobby-days.htm
Perhaps these activists could have waited a week or two seeing that the health care vote, a major piece of progressive legislation that has been fought over for the last 16 months, is happening this week.
Pelosi, for whatever she is worth, I bet won't be paying attention to ENDA this week.