Sponsor ENDA The Employment Non Discrimination Act

Sponsor ENDA

Dear Representative

As an American, and a supporter of Civil Rights for all Americans, I am writing to ask you to sponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

It is simply unacceptable that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people can still be fired or refused a job based on characteristics wholly unrelated to job performance. ENDA would stop this injustice against our community and let these hardworking Americans support their families and be a part of our national economy without fear of arbitrary discrimination. We hope you will support this legislation in the 111th Congress.

The American people believe in fairness and understand that employees should be judged on the merits, not on sexual orientation or gender identity. A January 2007 Hart Research poll found that six out of ten Americans support federal legislation to address workplace discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Yet, today, it remains perfectly legal in 29 states to fire someone based simply on sexual orientation, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity.

In today's difficult economy, no one should have to face the additional challenge of discrimination in the workplace. I urge you to support these common-sense protections and sponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act today.

Those few American people who do not support homosexuals, are most of the time very religious people, whose beliefs are based on what the bible has to say about homosexuality. The United States is not a nation governed by the Bible. Our nation is governed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Our laws were created to protect an individual’s right to disagree. If the Bible (or someone’s view of the Bible) replaces the Constitution as the law of the land, we undermine the great foundation upon which this country was built.
Whatever some people believe the Bible says about homosexuality, they must not use that belief to deny homosexuals their basic civil rights. To discriminate against sexual or gender minorities is unjust and un-American. I’m asking you who disagree with my stand on homosexuality to support my stand on full civil rights for all people, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans. I hope we can agree that all of us must stand together against those who would replace the Constitution with biblical law.


Leaders that believe that homosexuality is “a choice” ignore decades of scientific research and the testimonies of millions of homosexuals who have accepted their sexual orientation and live productive lives among us. Leaders who insist that homosexuals can and should “change” usually base their claims on the personal testimonies of a few men and women who are still in the process of “reparative therapy.” “Reparative therapy” (also known as “conversion” therapy) is based on an understanding of homosexuality that has been rejected by all the major health and mental-health professional organizations.

“Homosexuality is not a
mental disorder and thus
there is no need for a cure.”
THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL
ASSOCIATION


For more information see “Just the Facts on Sexual Orientation and Youth” on the Web site of the American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/justthefacts.html.

There are many organizations that have issued individual statements warning of the dangers of “reparative” or “conversion” therapy.

I urge you, Sponsor ENDA today. If you are interested in learning more, so that you can make a fair and educated decision, or have any comments feel free to contact me at changethiscountry@rocketmail.com






Sincerely,

[Your name]