Lifting Our Voices and Urging the Senate End Workplace Discrimination for the LGBT Community on September 17th

For many years, Women of Reform Judaism, alongside the Reform Movement, has been dedicated to ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals enjoy the rights they deserve as people and as citizens. These rights include but surely are not limited to equal access to civil marriage and all the related federal protections, protection from sexual orientation and gender identity-based, bullying and hate crimes, and at this crucial juncture, employment discrimination. Although the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has been in the works for many years, we have never had a better opportunity to secure workplace protections for the LGBT community. Workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity – characteristics that are unrelated to job performance – denies members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community the full set of civil rights that comes with the ability to earn a living, provide for their families and contribute to society. It is an affront to us all when individuals face unjust obstacles to reaching their full potential and prohibited from contributing to society at their fullest potential. We must reaffirm our support for the LGBT community and make it our sacred duty to demand the passage of critical legislation like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (S. 815/H.R. 1755). Jewish tradition teaches that we are all created in the image of G-d, b’tzelem Elohim (Genesis 1:27). We understand the social and political imperatives to implore Congress to swiftly pass this important legislation. But we are also bound morally and spiritually to fight for equal rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, sex, race, national origin, class, color, pregnancy, disability or age. My colleague at the Religious Action Center, Sophie Golomb, provided excellent ENDA background on her blog post that I reference here: Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination in the workplace based on race, sex, religion, ethnicity and national origin – and later laws barred discrimination based on pregnancy and disability – there is no federal law that protects the LGBT community from discrimination in the workplace. ENDA would close that gap and make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, demote or fail to promote someone based on their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is rapidly growing. The bill now has 53 co-sponsors in the Senate – including Republican Senators Mark Kirk (IL) and Susan Collins (ME) – and 177 co-sponsors in the House. Support within the business world is growing as well, with more than 90 major corporations publically endorsing the bill (this is no surprise considering that 88% of Fortune 500 companies already have protections based on sexual orientation and 57% have protections for gender identity). Religious groups are speaking out as well; nearly 50 religious organizations joining the RAC in signing onto a letter to the members of the HELP committee urging them to vote for ENDA. According to recent polls, 73% of Americans support the workplace protections promised in this legislation (another survey found that 9 out of 10 voters thought these protections already exist!). People in states around the country have proven their support for workplace protection by passing laws in 21 states that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and 17 states that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. These numbers reveal the deep resonance ENDA holds with both our American and religious values. Join WRJ, the Religious Action Center, the Reform Movement and the broader faith community in spreading the word and making your voice heard on the Hill! Every individual who speaks up will make a difference in urging Members of Congress to vote the right way on this landmark bill. Participate in Faiths Calling on September 17, a national, interfaith initiative to reach out to Senators and encourage support for ENDA. Text “ENDAnow” to 877-877 to receive text instructions, or dial 1-888-897-0174 to hear talking points, enter your zip code and connect directly to your Senator. Some talking points for when you speak to your Member: ENDA is a common-sense solution that will prohibit discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace.

• In 29 states, it remains legal to fire, refuse to hire, or fail to promote an employee based on sexual orientation
• In 33 states, it remains legal to fire, refuse to hire, or fail to promote an employee based on gender identity

When you are connected to your Senator, remind them of some of the key talking points below:

• ENDA ensures that all people are measured based on their qualifications for a job and the work they perform – it does not create “special rights”
• ENDA makes good business sense and helps build a stronger, protected workforce – 88% of Fortune 500 companies already have policies prohibiting discrimination against gay and lesbian employees, and 57% protect transgender employees
• ENDA conforms to our core religious belief that everyone is created in the image of the Divine and to our fundamental American ideals of equality – more than 73% of Americans support such legislation
• ENDA contains a broad religious exemption – concerns about religious freedom should not prevent support of this legislation