Countdown 2010 Human Rights Campaign

By Karl Bach
Contributing Writer

Do you think it’s fair to discharge gay, lesbian and bisexual members of the military?

Did you know that it remains legal in 29 states to discriminate based on sexual orientation, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression?

We need your help to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

The time to act is now, before the 111th U.S. Congress ends. Otherwise, we will need to start all
over again in the next congressional session. We need you to act today and contact your legislator.

Call today, 202.224.3121. Ask to be connected with your member(s) of Congress. Call your representative and tell them to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), and call both of your senators and tell them to vote yes on ENDA and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

These types of calls are very important to legislators and the vast majority of offices keep track of these calls.

We’ve made it easy for you. Dial 202.224.3121 and ask to be connected with your representative (or give your zip code) and say: “Hello, my name is [your name] and I live in [your city, state]. I am calling to urge [representative’s name] to vote yes on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.”

Most calls end there, but if you’d like, you can add: “The inclusive ENDA would finally make it illegal to discriminate in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. No one in this country should be fired from their job or denied a promotion simply for being who they are.”

Dial 202-224-3121 tell the receptionist your state, ask to be connected with both of your senators and say: “Hello, my name is [your name] and I live in [your city, state]. I am calling to urge [senator’s name] to vote yes on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

You can also add: “The inclusive ENDA would finally make it illegal to discriminate in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The vast majority of Americans support the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” because they recognize that on the battlefield, it does not matter whether a service member is lesbian, gay or straight; what matters is that a service member gets the job done.”

Repeal DADT now: contact your senators. The Human Rights Campaign and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network are working to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). Urge your U.S. senators to vote to repeal DADT - the military’s discriminatory law.

Pass ENDA now: contact your legislators. It’s time to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, so that no worker can be fired simply because of who they are.

Visit countdown2010.hrc.org for more information.