Tell the Senate to Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

The Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) is having a hearing in the House of Representatives now, click here for a live feed of the coverage. ENDA would ensure that employees are protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity/expression. The bill would make sure that an employee cannot be fired, refused hiring, or promotion simply based on these attributes.

It is still legal in 29 states to fire someone for their sexual orientation, and in 38 states for gender identity.

The senate has for the first time introduced a fully inclusive ENDA. Please urge your senators to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation.

Act to Repeal DOMA Now

Legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) may be introduced in the House of Representatives as early as next week. We must ensure that the President, congress, and our senate leaders speak out and co-sponsor a repeal of this discriminatory legislation. DOMA denies same-sex couples from receiving federal benefits, even in states where marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships are legally sanctioned.

The momentum is on our side with the recent slide of victories in favor of equality, the time is now with a more progressive majority in place to eliminate DOMA.

Go to www.repealDOMAnow.org and join in the campaign for equal rights for all families.

Pass ENDA Now!

Today, the Senate has introduced a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act which would protect workers against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This federal bill would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote employees simply based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The house currently has a similar bill working its way through the chamber.

Send a clear message to your lawmakers to support passage of an inclusive ENDA.

U.S. Senator Tom Harkin Supports Marriage Equality

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin said Friday he no longer holds the same views he held when he voted for the federal Defense of Marriage Act that prohibited federal recognition of same-sex marriage nearly 13 years ago.

Harkin described his own evolution on the issue during a taping of Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press," which airs this weekend.

"We all grow as we get older, and we learn things and we become more sensitive to people and people's lives," Harkin said. "And the more I've looked at that, I've grown to think differently about how people - how we should live. And I guess I'm at the point that, you know - I'm to that point of live and let live," Harkin said.

Be sure to contact the senator and thank him for siding with equality.

Crossposted via Pam's Houseblend.

Expand the Civil Rights Act to Protect LGBT Rights

Join 'The Power' by signing a petition calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to lead the 111th Congress expand the Civil Rights Act to declare once and for all that LGBT rights are civil rights and that it will be the public policy of the United States that discrimination based on LGBT status is prohibited.

The petition, copies of which will be sent to Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the President's LGBT Liason, Brian Bond, will be delivered on June 1, 2009, the first day of the 40th annual gay pride month.

Please click here to sign the E-petition.

Ask your Senators to Support Eric Holder, President-Elect Obama's Choice for Attorney General

Senate Republicans are threatening the confirmation of President-elect Obama's choice for Attorney General, Eric Holder. Take action today to ensure that Eric Holder is swiftly confirmed as our nation's next Attorney General. As a community that is particularly vulnerable to bias-motivated violence, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community needs an Attorney General who is committed to combating this national problem. Eric Holder will be that Attorney General.

Holder knows that access to justice is a civil right and has demonstrated his commitment to protecting communities from hate violence and ensuring the fair and equal application of our laws. He supports rigorous enforcement of existing laws, data collection and research about hate violence, and legislation that would give the federal government both the authority to prosecute these heinous crimes and the power to assist local governments that are pursuing justice.

Don't let this nomination be derailed. Send a message to your Senators today asking them to support the nomination of Eric Holder as the next Attorney General.

Use HRC's E-Action Contact Form to Connect with Your Senators

Gay Ally Al Franken Wins Senate Seat!

After a long and contested recount, one which the Coleman (R) campaign is going to continue to attempt to fight, the canvassing board will declare that Al Franken (D) has won the election for senate seat in Minnesota by a 225 vote lead.

Senator-elect Franken has long been an ardent supporter of same-sex marriage rights, and will likely usher in a new era of progressive politics within the senate.

Help Pro-Equality Candidate Win Senate Seat in Georgia!

Help elect pro-equality Democrat Jim Martin in the Tuesday, December 2nd run-off election in Georgia. Incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss has a 0% rating on issues important to us, even voting for a same-sex adoption ban!

Jim Martin on LGBT issues:

-Expand federal hate crimes laws to include LGBT citizens.

-Expand federal workplace equality laws.

-Increase funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and education.

-Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell

-Supports Civil Unions

-Protect adoption rights for same-sex couples.

-Opposes discriminatory federal marriage amendment.

http://martinforsenate.com/

Equality Maine Endorses Tom Allen for Senate

"The state’s largest GLBT Advocacy group, Equality Maine, has endorsed Tom Allen (D-Portland) for Senate. Allen, a current U.S. Representative, is challenging Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor.)

Equality Maine’s executive director, Betsy Smith, said in a release:

“Throughout his long career, Congressman Allen has supported fairness and equality while opposing discrimination. His voting record on LGBT issues is exceptional. He has worked to eliminate discrimination in jobs, housing, public accommodations and financial matters, and we look forward to working with him to win fully-inclusive federal employment non-discrimination legislation.”

Cross posted from the Gay Agenda