National Press Club Tuesday site of LGBT Org.'s Demanding Congress Vote on ENDA

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National lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights leaders, community members demand vote on Employment Non-Discrimination Act

At Tuesday press conference, LGBT rights advocates will highlight congressional inaction on ENDA as part of National ENDA Action Week

What: Press conference to demand immediate action in both the House and Senate on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a federal bill prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It is part of a series of nationwide actions this week calling for a vote on ENDA.

Who: Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Jody M. Huckaby, Executive Director, PFLAG National
Frank Kameny, longtime activist who was fired from his job over five decades ago due to sexual orientation discrimination; 50-plus years later, he is tired of waiting for equality as he turns 85 this week
Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
Sharon Lettman, Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition
Michael Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats
Gloria Nieto, California resident, former member of the Democratic National Committee, former executive director of the People of Color AIDS Foundation, currently unemployed
Liz Seaton, Director of Projects and Managing Attorney, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Peggy Shorey, Executive Director, Pride at Work
Terrance L., a gay man who has been closeted in previous employment
Donna P., a transgender woman from the Baltimore area who was fired from two jobs


When: Tuesday, May 18, Noon (ET)

Where: National Press Club, 529 14th Street, N.W., Lisagor Room, Washington, D.C.


Why: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates have been lobbying for ENDA’s passage for years. There is more support for ENDA than ever before in Congress, growing every day. Congress needs to prioritize ENDA for passage to secure the most basic of civil rights, the right to work, for LGBT people. LGBT rights leaders and community members are demanding an immediate vote on ENDA and are sending a united message to Congress: No more excuses, no more delays: Pass ENDA now.

GetEqual ENDA Heroes freed Rallies in support planned Nationwide

ENDA's Dog tail

Pelosi's office says despite the civil disobedience in which four members of a newly formed group 'GetEqual' were arrested at her office she will not move ENDA untill she is sure the bill has all the votes needed to pass. Education and Labor chairman Miller more optimistically stated Thursday that "ENDA HR3015 will be marked up and moved [out of his committee] after heath care reform", but protocol dictates he cannot actually do so untill Pelosi gives him the go ahead.

ENDA Dog chases tail.

Inclusive ENDA leader Dr. Julian Weiss has compiled a exhaustive straw poll survey which indicates that there are the votes needed to pass ENDA in the House. However Pelosi's office contests this unique citizen poll maintaining that straw polls are conducted only after a bill is moved out of committee and onto the house for a vote. Pelosi says untill then there is no way to know how each individual representative will vote.

In the ENDA Dog raises it's tail to avoid the...

Pelosi's feet dragging enrages LGBT community who resort to committing a act of civil disobedience. The group GetEqual entered the House of Representatives speakers offices on both coasts spontaneously. Their stated goal was to remain in Pelosi's office untill she agreed to move ENDA HR3015 for a vote by the months end if she denied that request, to refuse to leave. The GetEqual members were arrested and release.

Calls going out for protests and rallies demanding ENDA move forward! please direct message queerunity on twitter with details or leave information on Queers United post.

DC Agenda 4 arrested in ENDA protest on Capitol Hill

More Activist arrested

GetEQUAL on twitter
Pelosi aide Dan Bernal says Pelosi has no commitment or timeframe to act on ENDA #GetENDA. Epic #fail of leadership. Tweet using hashtags #lgbt #ENDANOW

ENDA votes compiled by Inclusive Enda's straw poll.

Unconfirmed Senator contact info: http://bit.ly/45WGMc

US Senate ENDA Spreadsheet: http://bit.ly/14TDll

Unconfirmed Reps contact info: http://bit.ly/NUFUd

US Reps ENDA Spreadsheet: http://bit.ly/Q5YMJ

House Committee to Take Action on ENDA Call in on November 18
Take Action!
Take action today for the next bill that will positively impact transgender people: ENDA

Sign the ENDA petition

Write to your members of Congress

Read our Toolkit on how you can take action

NCTE Website

November 12, 2009
"Now is the time that we must take action for ENDA! Whether you have never contacted your members of Congress or if you are a frequent visitor in their offices, we need you to call this week if this bill is to pass."
-Mara Keisling

Today, Chairman George Miller (D-CA) of the House Committee on Education and Labor announced that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) will take its next steps when the committee marks up the bill next Wednesday, November 18; this is one of the final steps that precedes a vote by the full House. House leadership is optimistic about the bill that would ban from the workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, although they stress the importance that advocacy efforts for ENDA remain strong. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) is the principle sponsor of the bill, joined by 189 co-sponsors, and along with Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) has been a strong champion of this legislation.The Senate is also considering the bill and held a hearing in committee last week on the matter. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-WA) is the lead sponsor and strong advocate for the measure. When asked at a press conference last week whether there was any chance that gender identity would be stripped out of the bill, he answered simply, "No."But, even with these strong optimistic signs and committed leaders, members of Congress still need to hear loud and clear from our communities.

The radical right is already in full swing on this fight, energizing their base to call and put pressure on Congress, spreading their untruths and stereotypes about who we are. Their voices must not outnumber ours. It is up to us to communicate the urgency of this bill, and to do that we must pick up the phones and call. "Never before in the history of our movement has there been a time when it is so critical that we all are active advocates for transgender rights. It really is that important," notes Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. "We are at a moment when our rights are not guaranteed but they are within our reach if we speak up about the urgent need for the employment protections contained within ENDA. We need you to take action."NCTE is participating with a wide range of other LGBT groups in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights call in days in support of ENDA. Our day to call is Wednesday, November 18. We hope you'll be a part of this important effort and you'll encourage your friends to call.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Next Wednesday, Nov. 18, or whenever is convenient for you, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask to speak to your Representative (have your zip code handy and they'll help identify your member of Congress). When you are connected with your Representative's office, give your name and your city and then let them know:

I am calling in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H. R. 3017/S. 1584), which will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination. No one deserves to be fired from their job because of who they are. Please vote yes for ENDA

If you get voicemail instead of a person, feel free to leave a message-the messages are listened to and count just as much as if you reach a staff member. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you've called in the past, no problem ... call again or write or visit.For extra credit, when you are done, hang up and call the Capitol Switchboard again, let the operator know what state you are calling from, and they will connect you with your Senators. And please, forward this message to your friends, family members and allies.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
There are many ideas about how you can take action on NCTE's ENDA webpage. Visit it today. The more we all do, the more likely we are to pass this vital legislation. It is up to us.
About NCTEThe National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people. By empowering transgender people and our allies to educate and influence policymakers and others, NCTE facilitates a strong and clear voice for transgender equality in our nation's capital and around the country. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a 501(c)3 organization.

[Walking With Integrity] Calling all Clergy and Faith Community Leaders

Thursday, November 12, 2009 7:12 PM
From: "Integrity USA"

Within weeks, the U.S. House of Representatives will consider passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill to prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Religious voices are instrumental in persuading legislators to support the fair treatment of all workers by passing an inclusive ENDA.

If you are a member of the clergy or a leader in your faith community, please sign the online letter (http://goldenruleatwork.org/) in support of equality in the workplace.

Then, take a minute to forward the letter to your colleagues locally and nationally.

More than 30 major religious denominations and insinuations have already signed onto an organizational letter in full support of ENDA. United by a spiritual obligation to treat others with the respect we desire for ourselves, the interfaith community is calling on Congress to pass federal legislation protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees. In 29 states it is currently legal to fire, refuse to hire, or deny a promotion to lesbian, gay, and bisexual workers; discrimination based on a person’s real or perceived gender identity is still tolerated in 38 states. It is long past time we ended this injustice.
Take action and find out more online at: http://goldenruleatwork.org/

Engage your community further by participating in the national faith community call-in day on Thursday, November 19th. This call-in comes on the heels next week’s expected review of ENDA by the House Education and Labor Committee. Pick up the phone and call your Member of Congress at 202-224-3121 to demand equality with the House’s passage of H.R. 3017 (ENDA).

Live Web Casting the Senate ENDA hearing November 5, 2009

Committee: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Title: Employment Non-Discrimination Act: Ensuring Opportunity for All Americans
Date: Thursday, November 5, 10:00 a.m.
Place: SD-430

Click HERE for the Video and Audio http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2009_11_05/2009_11_05.html

ENDA Movers and Shakers Getting The Message Send Yours TODAY!

Jillian Weiss sent a message to the members of Inclusive ENDA.

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Inclusive ENDA almost at 5,000

Dear Inclusive ENDA members:

Our group is almost 5,000 strong. People in DC tell me that we have been having an impact on co-sponsorships and support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and we are close to our goal of eliminating job discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Our work is being discussed by the movers and shakers.

Would you please help take this over the 5,000 mark? Please forward this to a couple of friends who are interested in job fairness, and ask them to join our group. They will receive an email from me about once a week, with updates on the bill. The Inclusive ENDA group can be found Here

FYI, we're currently at 212 likely yes votes in the House (we need 216) and there are 35 unconfirmed. In the Senate, there are 57 likely yes votes (we need 60), with another 15 possible yes votes. You can find more info at our spreadsheets:HERE A hearing will be coming up in the Senate on the bill, and a vote in the House is expected soon as well.

Thank you for the work you have been doing.

Jillian
Co-Chair, Inclusive ENDA Facebook
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To reply to this message, follow the link below:
Inclusive ENDA Facebook

ENDA S1584 Status as of October 13 2009

Inclusive Enda Facebook compiles and frequently updates Goggle Documents with a comprehensive breakdown of Representative and Senators history with a prognosis of there future vote.

US Senate ENDA Spreadsheet

Senators with Unconfirmed positions on the Senate version of ENDA, S1584

For updates from the Inclusive Enda Campaign please visit the Bilerico Project

Support the upcoming ENDA Congressional Hearing on 9/23/09

Join the "Hearing on Inclusive ENDA" Facebook group, and get info on how to contact the committee members in and near your state.

Go to the Facebook page for more information.

We are rapidly moving towards a vote. Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their party.

Jillian T. Weiss
Co-Chair, Inclusive ENDA

ENDA S.1584 UPDATE 8/31/09 We 12 Need VOTES!

Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
Inclusive ENDA
Email 18 Critical Senators

We're almost there, kids. We have 95% of the gas we need to get there in the House, but only 80% of what we need in the Senate. Face it, you're going to have to get out and push at some point.

To help you, here the scoop on what's happening in the Senate, followed by email links and telephone numbers after the jump. Print this out and paste it on your wall. Play "ENDA: The Home Edition" by ticking off the Senators as they come on board. You'll get a prize if you collect all 60!
Okay, gang, here's what's going on. We need 60 votes to win against a likely Republican filibuster. There are 48 Senators with confirmed yes votes on S.1584. The game is a treasure hunt to find another twelve votes so it can pass. Can you find all twelve?

Thirteen of the Senators with unconfirmed positions have track records that include co-sponsorship of legislation containing the language of sexual orientation and gender identity. (See the Senate spreadsheet for info on that track record. Their local district telephone numbers are set out below so that you may contact them. If you click on the name, you will get a link to their email page.

(If you prefer to call them in DC, the telephone number is 202-224-3121.)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) 907-271-3735
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) 870-910-6896
Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-CO) 719-328-1100
Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-DE) 302-674-3308
Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-DE) 302-424-8090
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) 812-218-2317
Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) 812-465-6313
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) 504-589-2427
Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC) 336-333-5311
Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) 702-388-6605
Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) 216-522-7095
Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) 605-226-3440
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, IV (D-WV) 304-253-9704

The following five Senators are also considered potentially supportive based on their track records.

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) 501-324-6336
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) 850-942-8415
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) 406-756-1150
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) 701-852-0703
Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) 304-264-4626

If at least twelve of these eighteen Senators come on board, as seems likely, then S.1584 will pass the Senate.
Email them, call them, get them on board for S.1584!
And, if haven't already, join our Inclusive ENDA campaign on Facebook. (Link: http://bit.ly/endanow)

Posted here on Bileric Poject Click Here To Email 18 Crucial Senators on ENDA

ENDA: Close, but more work needed August 10, 2009

ENDA: Close, but more work needed

We are coming into the second week of August, and support for ENDA among legislators is slowly inching up. Here's the status

.**HOUSE**In the House, where we need 218 yes votes, there are 171 confirmed yes, and another 36 who will probably vote yes, though they have not yet confirmed this, making a total of 207 likely yes votes. Not enough. 76 Representatives are unconfirmed either way, and these need to be persuaded by you. Yolu can see the spreadsheet with this info at http://www.facebook.com/l/;bit.ly/Q5YMJ

**SENATEIn the Senate, where we need 60 yes votes because of the likely Republic filibuster that requires 60 votes to stop, there are 46 confirmed yes votes, and another 11 likely yes votes, making a total of 57 likely yes votes. Not enough. 53 Senators are unconfirmed either way, and these need to be persuaded by you.

You can see the spreadsheet with this info at http://www.facebook.com/l/;bit.ly/14TDll

**WHAT YOU CAN DO**The key fight is going to be in the Senate. Please take whatever time you can to call the Senate swing votes, which you can find here: Senate - http://www.facebook.com/l/;bit.ly/45WGMc

Please post any information you have on our Wall so I can update the spreadsheet.

Thank you for your support of an inclusive ENDA.

Jillian

Co-Chair, Inclusive ENDA--------------------

Status of ENDA As of August 3, 2009

Status of ENDA as of August 3, 2009

Our calculations show that there are 204 confirmed Reps in the House, and we need at least 218 for a bare majority. 33 states have unconfirmed representatives. We're close, but not there yet.

The difference between passage in the House and not passage is people from those 33 states showing their support of ENDA with a telephone call. Here's the list of unconfirmed Reps with telephone numbers and contact info: http://bit.ly/NUFUd

The 33 states with unconfirmed Representatives are AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, GL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MS, NV, NJ, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, and WV.

See http://bit.ly/NUFUd for phone numbers and contact info. If you haven't already, please call your unconfirmed Representative to ask them to support the inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act, HR 3017.

Please post your call on the Facebook Inclusive ENDA wall so we know you did it, and tell us what happened. (Like, I left a message, or I confirmed their support)

Thank you.

Jillian T. Weiss
Co-Chair, Inclusive ENDA

Nine Weeks For Equality

By Kelli Busey, planetransgender, July 28, 2009

The National Center for Transgender Equality campaign 'Nine Weeks For Equality' provides us an effective, timely roadmap for advocacy. This program will help facilitate our movement towards passage of an inclusive ENDA. One of the first of the nine actions listed is writing a blog article. Each time we place our agenda on the Internet it contributes to an understanding of who we are and what we need.

I started writing planetransgender in 2007. I was furious with Congressman Barney Frank's incomprehensible dissection of transgender people from the equality movement during the 2007 ENDA debacle and HRC's despicable acquiescence.

Early on in my rage, I was fortunate to befriended by the writer of Queers United blog. Under his tutelage, acclaim and admonishment he nurtured my raw desire for effective advocacy. I began to concentrate on attracting and integrating with the larger communities, LGBTQI and straight. Now occasionally new understandings are sometimes discovered and nurtured here. If I am successful our new allies will continue to be interested in our mutual needs as we continue finding new ways to communicate, constantly increasing our diversity and strength.

There are nine other actions listed and who knows, next week I might even try another one.

The National Center for Transgender Equality 'Nine Weeks For Equality'

Inclusive ENDA Campaign

A message from Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
Co-Chair, Inclusive ENDA

Thank you again for being part of this campaign to educate Congress about the importance of job equality. Here is some information about the status of the bill and what you can do. If you want to hear my discussion of ENDA's chances, click here for a podcast from WFHB Radio (July 20, 2009)

**STATUS OF THE BILL**
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009, HR 3017, is pending in the House of Representatives, and has the public support of 164 Members of Congress. Another 40 are likely to vote yes, but have not yet made their support of the bill public, as far as we know. This makes a total of 204 in the yes column. 218 are needed for a majority in the House. Passage is likely, but we're not yet clearly there as of today. You can get the specifics on our spreadsheet If you're in one of the swing districts (highlighted in yellow), call your Representative. (There is a link to contact info on the spreadsheet on the top right.)

The bill has not yet been introduced in the Senate. Our estimates suggest there are currently 58 likely yes votes, and there are a few Democrats whose support is unclear, and a few fair-minded Republicans who may be willing to cross party lines in favor of job equality. You can get the specifics on our Senate spreadsheet

Legislation will probably be introduced in the Senate soon, and we will want to ask our Senators to co-sponsor the legislation when that happens. Hearings will probably held in the House in early fall, featuring testimony for and against the bill, followed by a vote in the House, if party leaders determine there are enough "yes" votes for passage. If and when passed in the House, the bill will hopefully go to the Senate for a vote shortly thereafter. Whether or not it gets to a floor vote depends again on party leaders determining that there are enough yes votes for passage. If and when passed in the Senate, it will go to President Obama for signature.

**WHAT YOU CAN DO**
The most effective means of ensuring there are enough "yes" votes for passage is meeting with your legislator in your home district during the August recess. Of course we're all busy with other things, but if you want them to say "yes," you must say "yes." You can sign up for a meeting here

Telephone calls from people in the legislator's district are the next most effective means. You can find contact info for unconfirmed US Reps here, and contact info for unconfirmed US Senators here and Full contact info can be found here

You should put your legislators' phone numbers on speed dial, and make friends with the office aides. Call early and often. Put information about your legislators' position on our Wall at Inclusive ENDA so we can update the spreadsheets.

Acting together, we have made great strides toward passage. I believe that ENDA will pass, if we continue to be smart and targeted in expressing our support to our legislators by means of meetings and phone calls.

Thank you for your work in supporting an inclusive ENDA.

Jillian T. Weiss
Co-Chair, Inclusive ENDA

Dallas Voice : Trans community meets with Bishop Robinson

Ben Briscoe Staff Writer Dallas Voice

"Majority of those who attended ‘Conversations’ prior to Black Tie also participated in protest."

"Depending on whom you talk to, “Transgender Conversations” with openly gay Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson Saturday, Nov. 22 either provided little closure for transgender activists upset with Robinson’s previous statements or it reassured them that he is a strong trans ally."

Read more at the Dallas Voice....

RMN Voter Guide: Employment Non-Discrimination

RMN Voter Guide: Employment Non-Discrimination

We seek, in short, full civil equality, defined as: the right to live and work free from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, to be evaluated on merit, to be free of unfair discrimination by our government (Adapted, Vaid 376).
++++
What I find as the essence of my heart is the life's work of the Reconciling Ministries, ~Kelli Busey.

American Airlines writes Congress, We Endorse a Inclusive ENDA

A letter written to Congress by a large corporation is one of the latest examples of Americas call to Congress to pass a fully inclusive ENDA. From the Washington Blade staff reports a letter from American Airlines.

"(We are) proud to express our strong support of federal workplace non-discrimination legislation that would extend basic job protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. We are proud to have been the first major airline to implement same-sex domestic partner benefits, first to implement both sexual orientation and gender identity in our workplace non-discrimination policies, and first to have a recognized LGBT employee resource group –GLEAM," the press release said."

American Airlines is a corporate leader in the resurgent effort to remind Congress of the will American people by writing a letter in support of a fully inclusive ENDA. Please show your appreciation by emailing American Airlines customer relations and to fly American!