From: HRCFCOMM@aol.com Date: Thu, 15 Jun 1995 17:02:09 -0400 Subject: ENDA REINTRODUCED IN CONGRESS ***************************************************************** PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE 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. ***************************************************************** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1995 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, GAY FAMILY MEMBERS AND VICTIMS OF ANTI-GAY DISCRIMINATION MEET AT U.S. CAPITOL IN SUPPORT OF EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT ENDA Introduced in Republican-Controlled Congress With Record Bipartisan Support: 148 Original Cosponsors Launch Bill to Prohibit Job Discrimination WASHINGTON -- Gay and lesbian relatives of Members of Congress joined victims of anti-gay job discrimination and Congressional sponsors of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) at a Capitol press conference today reintroducing the landmark legislation. ENDA would prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation. Currently, no federal law protects people from being fired, refused work or otherwise discriminated against merely for being lesbian or gay. "Hard-working people across this nation are fired, refused work and treated unfairly simply because they are gay -- and have no federal law to turn to for justice," said Elizabeth Birch, executive director of the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF), the nation's largest lesbian and gay political organization. HRCF organized today's event along with the lead Congressional sponsors of the bill. "We look forward to a day when all Americans are judged in the workplace not by who they are, but by how well they do their jobs. ENDA would simply ensure that no one loses their job for a reason wholly unrelated to their skills or job performance." Joining Birch at today's press conference in the Capitol were gay and lesbian family members of U.S. Senators and Representatives, including: John Bennett, nephew of Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah); Chastity Bono, daughter of Rep. Sonny Bono (R-Calif.); Sandy DeWine, cousin of Sen. Michael DeWine (R-Ohio); Candace Gingrich, sister of House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Julie Pell, daughter of Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.). "Anti-gay discrimination can touch any family in America," Birch said. "As gay and lesbian people come out in their own way and educate their families, friends and coworkers, our movement for equality makes enormous strides forward." The lead sponsors of ENDA in the 104th Congress are: Sen. James Jeffords (R-Vt.), Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), Rep. Connie Morella (R-Md.), Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Rep. Gerry Studds (D-Mass.) and Rep. Peter Torkildsen (R-Mass.). Richard Womack, acting executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the nation's leading civil rights coalition, pledged the group's support for ENDA in remarks at today's press conference. Gay and lesbian people who have been fired, harassed, demoted and otherwise discriminated against in the workplace participated in today's event. Speaking about their personal experiences with discrimination were Ernest Dillon, a postal worker from Detroit; Michael Engler, a stock broker from Baltimore; Angela Romero, a police officer from Denver; and Jesse Shaw, a former social worker from Jackson, Miss. HRCF today released a new publication highlighting their stories and similar cases from across the nation. "Gay and lesbian Americans simply want to do their jobs, pay their taxes and contribute to their communities without living in fear of discrimination," Birch said. "When Americans understand that the discrimination gay people face is both widespread and legal, they support the fundamental values embodied in ENDA." At the time of the press conference, ENDA had already won more original cosponsors in the 104th Congress than it had when it was introduced last year. So far, the bill has 148 in the 104th Congress, compared to 138 when it was first introduced in June 1994. A post-election poll of people who voted in the November 1994 election found that more than 70 percent supported equal rights in the workplace for lesbian and gay Americans. The number included 64 percent of Republicans, 71 percent of Independents and 77 percent of Democrats. The poll of 800 voters, conducted by Lake Research, Inc., had a margin of error of +\- 3.5 percent. "ENDA's support remains strong in Congress, and polls show that majorities of voters of every political stripe favor equal rights in the workplace for lesbian and gay Americans," Birch said. "America is way ahead of Congress on the fair treatment of lesbian and gay citizens. It's time that Congress caught up." The Human Rights Campaign Fund, 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. With a national staff, and volunteers and members throughout the country, HRCF lobbies the federal government on lesbian, gay, and HIV/AIDS issues; educates the general public; participates in election campaigns; organizes volunteers; and provides expertise and training at the state and local level. -30 - 1101 14th Street, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 phone:(202)628-4160 fax:(202) 347-5323