Fighting for ENDA in Mississippi

Thanks for your interest in taking action on ENDA this summer. Below is a bit of information about why we have chosen the targets for this campaign in your state. If you are interested in connecting with these lawmakers to urge them to pass ENDA this year, please complete the form below. A local organizer in Mississippi will be in contact with you shortly to let you know what's happening in your community, and how you can get involved.

Travis Childers is being targeted because he is a Democratic Congressman who has repeatedly voted against the party's platform of LGBT equality, including a vote against Hate Crimes legislation in 2009, and a vote against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in 2010. He was not yet elected for the ENDA vote in 2007, but he is leaning no on ENDA if it comes up this year.

Gene Taylor is also being targeted because he is a Democratic Congressman who has repeatedly voted against the party's platform of LGBT equality, including a vote against ENDA when it last came up for a vote in 2007, a vote against Hate Crimes legislation in 2009, and a vote against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in 2010. He is leaning no on ENDA if it comes up for a vote this year.

There are other states in which GetEQUAL is targeting Republicans, specifically those who serve heavily LGBT constituencies, yet continue to vote against LGBT equality. In Mississippi, however, Democrats who vote against LGBT equality AND who vote against their own party's platform must be held accountable. Since the Democratic party continues to fund these lawmakers, it is up to us to let them know that voting against us is not OK.

We have also been in conversation with other national and regional LGBT organizations, individual activists, and the folks at Act On Principles who run a public whip count on LGBT legislation (link here). Based on that feedback and on legislators' voting records, we have chosen the above targets.

Of course, whip counts and inside intelligence can always be wrong -- so please stay in touch with your state organizer and with us to keep us posted as you (hopefully) move legislators forward on ENDA.



ENDA Summer!