Dear Representative:

In advance of House Education and Labor Committee hearings tomorrow, we write to urge you to support HR 3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (ENDA). The Anti-Defamation League believes employment decisions should be made based on merit, performance, and abilities, and never on the basis of an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Currently, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals face serious discrimination in the workplace. In the majority of states, it is legal to fire someone solely on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Act would extend federal discrimination protections based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age and disability for those who would be denied workplace equality based upon their sexual orientation or gender identity. When enacted, ENDA will be an essential step forward for the United States toward ensuring equality of opportunity for every American.

We urge you to support this important legislation.

Sincerely,

The Anti-Defamation League