From: HRCFCOMM@aol.com Date: Thu, 15 Jun 1995 17:12:04 -0400 Subject: ENDA - ACTION ALERT ***************************************************************** ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND The Nation's Largest Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Political Group ***************************************************************** To contact the HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND, please call us at (202)628-4160, fax us at (202) 347-5323 or write to us at PO Box 1396 Washington, DC 20013. WE CANNOT RESPOND TO E-MAIL. ***************************************************************** Human Rights Campaign Fund Action Alert Column: Urge Congress to End Job Discrimination Cheryl Summerville worked as an award-winning cook at a Cracker Barrel restaurant until the company fired its lesbian and gay employees. Her termination notice read, "Employee is terminated due to violation of company policy. Employee is gay." She was left with no way to pay her mortgage or provide for her family, and no law to turn to for justice. This could happen to you. No federal law protects people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. You can be fired, refused work, paid less or otherwise discriminated against just for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or even heterosexual. Only the District of Columbia, certain cities, and eight states have laws protecting people from such job discrimination: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont and Wisconsin. Elsewhere, you're on your own. A poll commissioned by the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF) found that a majority of American voters support equal rights in the workplace for lesbian and gay Americans. That includes 64 percent of Republicans, 71 percent of Independents and 77 percent of Democrats. The American public clearly opposes job discrimination against lesbian and gay people. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is being re- introduced in the 104th Congress to prohibit this kind of discrimination. ENDA won record support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in the last Congress. It can move forward in the new Congress with your help. Well-funded radical right groups are attacking ENDA, claiming that we seek "special rights." In fact, lesbian and gay Americans lack the most basic rights. Help fight the radical right's distortion campaign. Call, write, e-mail, fax and visit your Senators and Representative. Ask them to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Write to your Senators and Representative. Send a politely worded letter to: The Honorable _______________ The Honorable ___________ U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 Call them. Dial the U.S. Capitol at (202) 224-3121. If you aren't sure who your Senators and Representative are, just ask the switchboard operator. Fax and e-mail them. Call and ask for their fax number. Some Members of Congress have gone on-line, so ask for their e-mail address as well. Copy this Action Alert column for your friends and ask them to help too. The more equal rights supporters Congress hears from, the sooner we'll have equal rights. For more information, call HRCF. Our Federal Advocacy Network (FAN) will provide free information on contacting your elected officials. Call 202-628-4160 or write FAN at HRCF, PO Box 1396, Washington, DC 20013. The Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF), the nation's largest lesbian and gay political organization, works to end discrimination, secure equal rights, and protect the health and safety of all Americans. To join, call (800) 777-HRCF (777- 4723). 1101 14th Street, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 phone:(202)628-4160 fax:(202) 347-5323