Date: Tue, 10 Jun 97 11:57:21 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: ENDA Introduction Today NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director 202/332-6483 x3314 mfjohnson@ngltf.org 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION BILL INTRODUCED Bill is One Step Toward a Fair and Just Society For All Washington, DC---June 10, 1997---The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) today announced its support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1997 (ENDA). Introduced in Congress today, the bill would prohibit employment discrimination based solely on an individual's sexual orientation. President Clinton has once again given his support to the measure. The legislation would provide meaningful and effective remedies for such discrimination, similar to those under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A similar version of the legislation was defeated last year in the Senate by a vote of 50-49. The following statement is attributable to Kerry Lobel, executive director of NGLTF: "NGLTF joins our civil rights allies in supporting ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1997. The message of ENDA is clear and straightforward. Discrimination is wrong. We look forward to the day when gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people no longer have to fear the loss of their jobs on the basis of their sexual orientation. When that day comes, our society will have taken another step forward in assuring justice and equality for all of its citizens. Across the country, state and local legislators are forging a trail on employment and other civil rights bills banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Just this year New Hampshire and Maine adopted laws banning employment discrimination against gays and lesbians. They join nine other states (WI, MA, CT, HI, CA, NJ, VT, MN, RI) and the District of Columbia which previously adopted such laws. This means that nearly one out of four people in the country live where discrimination based on sexual orientation is outlawed. In fact, all but California's anti-discrimination law extend the ban on discrimination to housing and public accommodations. We thank the 180 Members of Congress who are ENDA cosponsors for their leadership in the quest for social justice. We urge other Senators and Representatives to do the same and join the increasing number of supporters for workplace fairness." -30- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the oldest national gay and lesbian group and is a progressive organization that has supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every major initiative for lesbian and gay rights. In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .