From: Date: Mon, 08 Aug 94 17:27:54 EDT NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE LEGISLATIVE ALERT Ban Job Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Action Needed Now A recently introduced federal bill prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is receiving unprecedented bipartisan support in both the House of Representatives and Senate. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 1994 has 125 House and 30 Senate co-sponsors making it the most popular gay and lesbian civil rights bill in Congressional history. Senate hearings, held July 29, clearly demonstrated that job discrimination is a real danger for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals. September is an important month for ENDA with a vote expected in the Senate and hearings expected in the House. The time for more ENDA support and co-sponsorship is now! Call your representatives and senators! Meet with them in their district offices during the August recess. Contact your local newspapers! Get letters of endorsement! Tell everyone you know! Ask your representative and senators to support justice for all by becoming an ENDA co-sponsor. The main message to all members of Congress is: t As a supporter of equal rights for ALL citizens, we detest the workplace discrimination experienced by too many gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. t Federal law currently protects employees from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability. ENDA extends fair employment practices -- not special rights -- to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and heterosexuals. t A February 1994 Newsweek opinion poll found that "74% of all Americans favor protecting gays from job discrimination." t ENDA is endorsed by civil rights, labor and religious leaders, and by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the pre-eminent civil rights umbrella group. Contact the U.S. Capitol Switchboard for the phone numbers of your Members of Congress at: 202-224-3121.