From Pride At Work's 8/5/09 Email:

Today, Senator Jeff Merkley (OR-D) joined by Senators Susan Collins (ME-R), and Edward M. Kennedy (MA-D) introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in an important show of bipartisan support. This bill, which would extend existing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, is much needed and long overdue.

We have a good chance of passing this bill, but we need your help! President Obama has said that he is ready to sign this bill. All we need now is for the Senate to act.

It is essential that you contact your Senators and urge them to support this bill and ask them to become a co-sponsor. Becoming a co-sponsor shows other members of Congress that your Senator will stand in solidarity with our community, which helps build momentum for the bill’s passage.

Here are two critical facts from the Action Alert.

In 30 states a person can be legally fired solely because of their sexual orientation.

In 37 states, a person can be legally fired just because of their gender identity or expression.

I rewrote the default text from the Action Alert to ask my New York Senators to cosponsor the legislation and push hard for it. It generally is a good idea to rewrite default text in Action Alerts so the emails generated will be taken more seriously.

In the comments section of a post I wrote on GLAAD's dismal behavior after Perez Hilton was queer bashed, two crows asked me what lgbt organizations I consider worthwhile. Pride At Work is certainly one of them. I can not think of any queer group where your donations will get more bang for the buck.

Please Contact Your Senators!

Photos: Jamison
Gilberto Viciedo