> From: PMDAtropos > Date: Tue, 7 Jun 1994 10:06:04 -0400 [Send replies to phil.attey@GLIB.ORG only] ***************************************************************** E-MAIL DISCRIMINATION REPORTS & INFORMATION TO: doc.disc@glib.org ***************************************************************** PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND The nation's largest lesbian, gay and bisexual political group FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Douglas Hattaway (202) 628-4160 office (202) 265-5573 home "DOCUMENTING DISCRIMINATION" PROJECT UNCOVERS CASES NATIONWIDE DOC.DISC@GLIB.ORG E-MAIL ADDRESS CREATED FOR EASY REPLY Stories of Job Discrimination Sought to Educate Lawmakers, Public WASHINGTON (June 6, 1994) An unprecedented effort to document anti-gay job discrimination has uncovered cases in every region of the country, adding critical ammunition to the fight for anti-discrimination legislation in Congress. The Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF), which has hired a full-time staff member to coordinate the "Documenting Discrimination" program, called for anyone who has suffered job discrimination because of his or her sexual orientation to contact HRCF. Those who come forward can remain anonymous. "Anti-discrimination legislation is moving quickly on Capitol Hill, and we need personal stories to illustrate the painful impact of discrimination on hard-working people and their families," said HRCF Executive Director Tim McFeeley. "Polls show that the general public supports anti-discrimination laws when they realize that gay people suffer job discrimination. But most Americans simply don't know that people are fired, refused jobs or harassed at work because of their sexual orientation. Telling our stories can help change minds in Congress and in states facing anti-gay ballot initiatives by showing that we seek equal rights, not special rights." Since the project began in mid-April, cases have surfaced in every region of the country, including the following: A server at a California restaurant was harassed by fellow employees and eventually fired because he was gay; a reporter at a Washington state newspaper lost her job for speaking out in support of civil rights for gay people; a Georgia man who had received repeated bonuses and positive reviews was fired from his job at a national retail clothing store when his employer realized that he was gay. HRCF is compiling stories like these for presentation to Congress to highlight the urgency of a federal law to prohibit job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Only eight states and some localities prohibit such discrimination, which is legal under federal law. "These personal experiences are extremely persuasive. They demonstrate that gay people are not protected by federal civil rights laws and that unfair job discrimination has a devastating impact," McFeeley said. "We need as many people as possible to come forward with their stories." HRCF is working with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) and a broad coalition of legal and civil rights groups to gain passage of the federal bill. People who have experienced discrimination in the workplace should contact Hans Johnson at HRCF. Phone: (202) 628-4160 Fax: (202) 347-3523 E-mail: doc.disc@glib.org - 30 - 1012 14th Street, NW Suite 607 Washington, DC 20005 phone:(202)628-4160 fax:(202) 347-5323