After signing the petition in support of Gender Identity Inclusive ENDA through Equal Rights Washington on January 6th with this message:
Representative Adam Smith
U.S. House of Representatives
2402 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0001Dear Representative Smith,
I join with the hundreds of thousands of people who make up the membership of the organizations of United ENDA in calling on Congress to quickly protect all workers in America by passing the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA).
In signing this petition I call upon Congress to pass and the President to sign ENDA. I also promise to do my part to ensure the passage of this important workers’ rights legislation.
I stand with United ENDA in expressing support only for an ENDA that prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression as well sexual orientation. Any version of ENDA that does not include gender identity and expression will leave American workers unprotected.
Members of the transgender community, those perceived as being transgender, and persons with nonconforming gender identities face significant discrimination in the workplace. To deny people the opportunity to earn a living and be productive members of our society because of irrational animus harms both individuals and the economy.
While I know the majority of Americans already support this legislation, I will talk to my friends and family about the importance of gender identity and expression inclusive ENDA. I will keep my family & friends apprised of developments in the campaign to protect all of our nation’s workers from discrimination. When called upon by United ENDA I will contact my elected leaders and take other action as needed to protect our nation’s workers and economy.
I am proud to stand with United ENDA, a coalition over 300 organizations, in calling for an America where workers may not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or, gender identity or expression. The time for including these classes in the anti-discrimination laws of our nation is long overdue.
Signed by:
Gabrielle Clayton
Olympia, WA
And so yesterday I received this email:
January 30, 2009
Dear Gabrielle,
Thank you for contacting me with your support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns with me on this important matter.
Like you, I believe that it is wrong that someone can be fired or denied a job opportunity because they are, or are perceived to be, gay, lesbian, or bisexual. ENDA simply extends basic employment discrimination law to include sexual orientation, thereby providing legal recourse in our state or federal courts.This legislation is a common-sense solution to this problem. Unfortunately, it remains legal in 33 states to fire or refuse to hire anyone based on sexual orientation. This legislation does not create special rights; ENDA would simply add sexual orientation to the current list of federal employment protections that already ban discrimination based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age and disability.
As you may know, Congressman Barney Frank introduced this legislation in the 110th Congress. It was passed in the House, but unfortunately it was stalled n the Senate and failed to pass. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act has not yet been re-introduced in the 111th Congress. Please know that should this legislation come back to the House floor for vote, I will support it.
Again, I want to thank you for contacting me on this important matter. If you have any additional questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Adam Smith
Member of CongressAS:sm
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Something about it seemed very familiar.
I did a search and found this right here on my blog:
A ‘conversation’ with Representative Adam Smith regarding inclusion of gender identity in ENDA
I get it that politicians are busy and use form letters and emails and change the information to update and add your name and send.
And I get it that Congressman Adam Smith doesn’t want transgender people included in ENDA legislation.
And I am not impressed.