Date: Thursday, November 7, 2013
Contact: Linda Meric, 9to5 (303) 628-0925 x15
(Washington, DC) –The Employment Non-Discrimination Act was passed today by the U.S. Senate.
9to5 National Executive Director Linda Meric released the following statement in response:
“Today’s 64-32 vote in the U. S. Senate to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is a huge bipartisan victory for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers across America.
Our country is often divided by political and religious affiliations as well as geography, but there is one value that unifies us all – the belief that every American should be treated equally under the law. ENDA is a critical bill that would broaden federal anti-discrimination protection and prohibit employers from firing an employee based on her or his sexual orientation or gender identity.
Every hardworking American should be protected against discrimination, afforded legal protections, and allowed to work with dignity. It’s unjust to discriminate against someone at work based on who they are or who they love.
Public support for the legal equality of LGBT Americans has swelled to an all-time high. That support cuts across party line, religion, age and geography.
It is time for LGBT Americans to be treated equally in the workplace. 9to5 applauds the Senate’s action. Now it’s time for the U. S. House of Representatives to take action to debate and pass ENDA. 9to5 will continue to actively work with our allies to end workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
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About 9to5: With forty years’ experience in winning justice for working women, 9to5 leads the way to create a powerful force for change on issues affecting low-wage women and their families. 9to5 organizes women to lead campaigns for family-supporting jobs with decent wages and paid sick days; stronger protections against workplace discrimination; and a strong safety net for low-income families. As one of the largest, most respected national membership organizations of working women in the U.S., we’ve won real changes since the hit song and movie based on 9to5 hit the charts. To learn more or to get involved, visit 9to5.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter.
