Press Release - August 5th, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC -  Stonewall Democrats applauded Senators Jeff Merkley (OR-D), Ted Kennedy (MA-D), and their pro-equality colleagues today for introducing an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act which would protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees from workplace discrimination. The bill, which enjoys bipartisan support including 37 pro-equality Democrats, would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing federal employment non-discrimination laws.

“Stonewall Democrats have fought consistently for a trans-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act,” said Stonewall Communications Director Jenna Lowenstein. “Workplace protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workers are long overdue, and we're excited to see such a strong statements from pro-equality Democrats in the Senate.”

Stonewall Democrats have held the consistent position that an Employment Non-Discrimination Act inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity is a necessary protection for LGBT people in the workplace and should be a top priority for pro-equality Democratic lawmakers.

In partnership with Pride at Work, the LGBT constituency group of the AFL-CIO, Stonewall Democrats created SharedAgenda.org, with the mission of passing an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Employee Free Choice Act. National Stonewall Democrats has worked with our chapters around the country to encourage pro-equality Democratic lawmakers to stand up for workplace protections for all workers, including LGBT workers who are too often discriminated against in the workplace.

“We urge Congress to take quick and decisive action on this bill. President Obama has pledged to sign an inclusive ENDA, so the faster Congress works, the sooner LGBT people will be protected,” said Jenna Lowenstein. “LGBT workers in 38 states have to worry everyday that their jobs could be jeopardized because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The time for Congress to act to end workplace discrimination is now.”

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With more than 120 local chapters, Stonewall Democrats is the nation's only organization of LGBT and allied Democrats. Stonewall Democrats works to elect pro-equality Democrats to public office and hold them accountable to advance the policies and legislation important to pro-equality Americans.

For more information about Stonewall Democrats, visit http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org or follow us on Twitter @StonewallDems.