Rallies to Demand Justice for GetEQUAL Protesters

Grassroots organized rallies have sprung up around the country to demand an end to government sanctioned discrimination and to support protesters who were arrested yesterday at various direct-action events protesting Don't Ask Don't Tell and demanding an Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Multiple actions by the newly formed group GetEQUAL took place yesterday, first starting with the anti-gay Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. Following a demonstration by the Human Rights Campaign, Lieutenant Dan Choi and Cpt. Jim Pietrangelo marched to the White House and chained themselves to the White House gate in a non-violent act of civil disobedience against the policy. The two were arrested without bail and will appear in a D.C. court today. Co-director of GetEQUAL Robin McGehee was arrested for aiding Choi in shackling himself to the fence but was later released.

Later in the day activists on both coasts took action to demand a trans inclusive ENDA be brought to the floor of congress. The protesters arranged a sit-in in at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco and Washington D.C. offices. The activists were arrested but have all been released. A blogswarm was also arranged whereby thousands participated in calling in to Pelosi's office demanding ENDA legislation.

Scheduled solidarity rallies:

Florida

Orlando
Friday, March 19
12:00pm
Senator Bill Nelson's Office
Orlando Landmark Two
225 East Robinson Street

New York

New York City
Friday, March 19
12:00pm – 2:00pm
Time Square Military Recruitment Office

California

Orange County
Friday, March 19
6:00-7:30pm
UC Irvine Footbridge at Campus between West and East Petalson.

Please comment if you know of additional scheduled protests.

Blogswarm to Demand Speaker Pelosi Hold Vote on ENDA

Today thousands of people will put pressure on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to a vote. Dr. Jillian T. Weiss of Bilerico put out the call to action and many LGBT and progressive blogs are participating in this blogswarm.

ENDA (HR 3017) will prohibit job discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The majority of the house and senate support this bill and Obama favors this civil rights legislation being passed. With a democratic majority now is the time to get ENDA on the floor for an up or down vote.

Please call Speaker Nancy Pelosi at 202-225-4965. Ask that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, HR 3017, move to a vote.

Tell the Senate to Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

The Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) is having a hearing in the House of Representatives now, click here for a live feed of the coverage. ENDA would ensure that employees are protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity/expression. The bill would make sure that an employee cannot be fired, refused hiring, or promotion simply based on these attributes.

It is still legal in 29 states to fire someone for their sexual orientation, and in 38 states for gender identity.

The senate has for the first time introduced a fully inclusive ENDA. Please urge your senators to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation.

Pass ENDA Now!

Today, the Senate has introduced a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act which would protect workers against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This federal bill would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote employees simply based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The house currently has a similar bill working its way through the chamber.

Send a clear message to your lawmakers to support passage of an inclusive ENDA.

The Inclusive ENDA Campaign

The inclusive ENDA campaign is setting up meetings with your Senators and Representatives in August to talk about support for an inclusive Employment Non Discrimination Act that protects sexual orientation, gender identity/expression. Sign up to meet with your senators and legislators on this important piece of legislation, or email ENDAcampaign@gmail.com

There are 20 fair-minded House Republicans who appear to be open towards ENDA, but have not yet gone public with their support. There are also 45 demcocrats who have yet to go public with their position.

Please email and ask them to support HR 3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Bilerico has a list of the representatives who are open to possibly voting for ENDA, please contact them.