Tammy Baldwin IS On Our Side!
Just got an e-mail stating the following from Fair Wisconsin:
Members of Congress have decided to move forward with a version of the federal Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA) that does not protect individuals discriminated against on the basis of gender identity. Congresswoman Baldwin (D-WI), who co-sponsored the original inclusive legislation, has refused to co-sponsor an ENDA that would exclude transgender protections.
This bill would extend federal employment discrimination protections currently provided based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age and disability, to individuals discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community has worked very hard to include transgender protections in this legislation.
Fair Wisconsin Executive Director, Eva Shiffrin states: “Transgender individuals face discrimination in the workplace at high levels. Wisconsin is proud to have a Congresswoman who supports this important protection.”
[all emphases mine]
This is great. It's wonderful to know that she does have a backbone, and even moral fiber not to abandon those in the LGBT community who need anti-discrimination protections the most.
In light of this news, my friend and I have decided that our letter-writing/calling campaign will primarily target Barney Frank, the other co-sponsor of the original ENDA bill, who made the move to split it. Some news sources are implying that the House vote may take place tomorrow before our letter-writing project will take place. If that happens and the inclusive ENDA bill fails, we'll send letters (and readers' stories of discrimination) to Barney Frank-- he needs to know who he's failed.