From: Date: Mon, 08 Aug 94 17:19:42 EDT NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE LEGISLATIVE ALERT August Congressional Action Kit The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is calling on our community to take aggressive action in the month of August before and during the summer recess of Congress to advocate for health care reform and passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1994 (ENDA), two issues that dramatically impact the lives of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Constituents must also communicate their outrage at the recent deluge of anti-gay amendments offered by Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC). The political gay bashing by Sen. Helms is far from over. NGLTF anticipates more anti-gay amendments in August and September. These attacks, coupled with health care reform and movement of the employment non-discrimination bill, make August a critical month to have our voices heard on Capitol Hill. NGLTF places an emphasis on constituent empowerment because that's what makes a difference on Capitol Hill. We know that your letter, your phone call and your office visit are vital to the success of any initiative. Members of Congress want to know who supports an issue, how many support the issue, why they support it and how it will impact their district. This kit includes all the information necessary to make a positive Congressional impact for gay and lesbian civil rights. Enclosed, you will find the latest activist updates on health care reform, ENDA, and the anti-gay grandstanding of Sen. Helms. The Helms Strategy During late July and early August Sen. Jesse Helms unleashed a gay bashing agenda on Capitol Hill by filling the Congressional record with anti-gay speeches and by attaching amendments and making anti-gay motions to several bills. So far, he has attacked Agriculture Appropriations, the National Endowment for the Arts, Interior Appropriations and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Helms' strategy has forced NGLTF, and other groups, to spend its time battling against anti-gay attacks, rather than advancing our affirmative agenda by lobbying for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and preserving anti-discrimination provisions within health care reform bills soon to be on both the House and Senate floors. Helms must realize that ENDA enjoys unprecedented support on Capitol Hill. Helms knows that the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community has been successful in getting sexual orientation included in civil rights provisions of a majority of health care reform bills. Helms also recognizes that the Clinton Administration has advanced the basic civil rights of federal gay, lesbian, and bisexual employees by enacting non-discrimination employment policies in most federal agencies. Helms is attacking because he recognizes that we are winning the war on bigotry. Helms hopes that in creating a hostile environment in the Senate on gay issues, he will prevent future votes to affirm gay, lesbian, and bisexual rights. Helms' agenda is to destroy any advance by the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. We need you to take action now and hold your senators accountable for their votes in supporting Helms' gay bashing. Act now! Talking Points t Health Care Reform: Both Democratic bills contain anti-discrimination language to ensure that all Americans will have access to health care. We must insist that sexual orientation remains in the anti-discrimination language. t Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA): This bill would prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. We must secure wide support for ENDA. t Anti-Gay Amendments: Sen. Helms has suceeded in intimidating senators into supporting his anti-gay rhetoric. We must demand that senators vote "no" every time Helms uses the Senate floor as a platform for political gay bashing. Definite Conference Committee Members from the Senate Christopher Dodd (CT), Tom Harkin (IA), Paul Simon (IL), Dan Coats (IN), Nancy Kassebaum (K), Edward Kennedy (MA), Barbara Mikulski (MD), Dave Durenberger (MN), Paul Wellstone (MN), Jud Gregg (NH), Jeff Bingaman (NM), Howard Metzenbaum (OH), Harris Wofford (PA), Claiborne Pell (RI), Strom Thurmond (SC), Orrin Hatch (UT), Jim Jeffords (VT), Possible Conference Committee Members from the House of Representatives Eni Faleomavaega (AS), Karan English (AZ), Xavier Becerra (CA), Randy Cunningham (CA), Matthew Martinez (CA), Howard McKeon (CA), George Miller (CA), Lynn Woolsey (CA), Dan Miller (FL), Patsy Mink (HI), Harris Fawell (IL), Tim Roemer (IN), Scotty Baesler (KY), William Ford (MI), Peter Hoekstra (MI), Dale Kildee (MI), William Clay (MO), Pat Williams (MT), Bill Barrett (NE), Robert Andrews (NJ), Donald Payne (NJ), Marge Roukema (NJ), Eliot Engle (NY), Susan Molinari (NY), Major Owens (NY), Cass Ballenger (NC), John Boehner (OH), Thomas Sawyer (OH), Ted Stickland (OH), William Goodling (PA), Ron Klink (PA), Austin Murphy (PA), Carlos Romero-Barcelo (PR), Jack Reed (RI), Richard Armey (TX), Gene Green (TX), Robert Scott (VA), Ron de Lugo (VI), Jolene Unsoeld (WA), Steve Gunderson (WI), Thomas Petri (WI) 5 Simple Things You Can Do You can advocate for health care reform, support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and hold your senators accountable for their anti-gay votes in just a few minutes of your time. 1. Contact your Representatives and Senators! Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard for the phone numbers of your Members of Congress at: 202-224-3121. Don't worry if you don't know their names, the operator can tell you based on your zip code. When writing, make sure your letter is brief and concise. Be sure to state your position and exactly what you want the legislator to do in your first paragraph. Finally, be sure to request a reply. Send your letter to: The Honorable _______ The Honorable _________ House of Representative U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510 Dear Representative: Dear Senator: 2. Meet With Your Members of Congress! Meet in your district office during the August recess. Call your Congressperson's district office. Ask to speak to the scheduler or appointment secretary. Be specific about your reason for wanting the appointment. Keep your request for time brief--15 minutes is a long time to discuss your views. 3. Write a Letter to the Editor! Your local newspaper needs to hear about your support for ENDA and experience with workplace discrimination. 4. Get the Word Out! August is a crucial month for gay, lesbian, and bisexual rights. Share the information in this kit with everyone you know. Throw a letter writing party. 5. Call the Task Force! The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force wants to hear from you. Let us know how your campaign is going. Call Tanya Domi, Legislative Director, at (202) 332-6483, ext. 3308, or Beth Barrett, Legislative Assistant, ext. 3215.