While existing federal laws prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin and disability, no federal law exists to protect employees from discrimination on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. In 29 states, an individual can be fired, refused a job, demoted or denied a promotion based on his or her sexual orientation, and in 34 states it is legal to do so because of an individual’s gender identity.   

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would protect all Americans from discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Furthermore, claims that ENDA harms religious liberty are misplaced. ENDA broadly exempts from its scope houses of worship as well as religiously affiliated organizations. In fact, the religious exemption in ENDA is broader than any religious exemption in our federal civil rights laws.

Please take a moment today to tell your Members of Congress that you care about this issue and urge them to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at (202) 224-3121, or you can send an e-mail to your Senators and Representative by entering your zip code below.