From: GAYLESBLA@aol.com Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997 19:43:25 -0400 (EDT) Subject: URGENT ACTION ALERT: SUPPORT AB 257 PLEASE POST/DISTRIBUTE EVERYWHERE! URGENT ACTION ALERT!!! July 10, 1997 SUPPORT AB 257! Assembly Bill 257, which would amend the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to include sexual orientation within the unlawful bases for discrimination in employment and housing accommodations, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, July 15th. Please send/fax letters of support or call the following committee members and urge them to vote YES on AB 257! Senator John Burton (San Francisco) Senator Charles Calderon (Montebello) California State Senate California State Senate Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916/445-1412 Phone: 916/327-8315 Fax: 916/327-7229 Fax: Will not disclose No E-Mail E-Mail: Senator.Calderon@senate.ca.gov Senator Jack O'Connell (Santa Barbara) Senator Cathie Wright (Simi Valley) California State Senate California State Senate Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916/445-5405 Phone: 916/445-8873 Fax: 916/322-3304 Fax: 916/324-7544 E-Mail: Senator.OConnell@senate.ca.gov E-Mail: Senator.Wright@senate.ca.gov Short, personal handwritten letters are the most effective. (Please see sample letter below.) If you have any questions, please call (213) 860-7350. (Please send us a copy of your letter.) A Project of the the: L.A. GAY & LESBIAN CENTER POLICY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPT. 406 McDonald/Wright Bldg. 1625 N. Schrader Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028-6213 P: 213/860-7350; F: 213/860-7369; TDD: 213/993-7698 E-Mail: Gaylesbla@aol.com; Website: http://www.gay-lesbian-center.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------- SAMPLE LETTER FORMAT (Sample Only! Please Use Your Own Words.) July ____, 1997 The Honorable (Senator's Name) California State Senate Sacramento, California 95814 RE: SUPPORT ASSEMBLY BILL 257 Dear Senator __________________________: I am writing to urge your full support of AB 257, by Assemblymember Antonio Villaraigosa. This bill would amend the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to include "sexual orientation" within the unlawful bases for discrimination in employment and housing accommodations. Passing this bill would ensure that all Californians, regardless of their sexual orientation, are treated fairly and equally under the law. It would simplify the process in which both employment and housing discriminations based on sexual orientation are investigated and acted upon by the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFHE). Currently, employment discrimination complaints are handled by the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) while housing discrimination complaints under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, are handled by the DFHE. Additionally, complaints under the Labor Code, must be filed within 30 days, a relatively short time as opposed to one year under FEHA. It also makes it easier for a person who experienced multiple forms of discrimination, e.g., race, sex or sexual orientation, to file all complaints with the DFHE, instead of two different offices (DFHE & DLSE). The inclusion of sexual orientation within FEHA simply strengthens the state's civil rights laws. Above all, AB 257 merely furthers the goal of equal opportunity for all Californians. I strongly urge you to vote "aye" on AB 257. Thank you. Sincerely, YOUR SIGNATURE PRINT YOUR NAME HOME OR BUSINESS ADDRESS (Be sure to include an address)