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GMHC CALLS ON CONGRESS TO SUPPORT FULLY INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT
New York, NY — Right now Congress is considering a bill to end discrimination in the workplace for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
Employment non-discrimination is not just an issue for the LGBT community, but it is an AIDS issue. With many individuals' health insurance tied to employment, it is clear that ENDA will not only act to protect people from discrimination in the workplace, but will also act as a healthcare safety net for many Americans, particularly those with HIV/AIDS.
Congressional leaders have recently proposed to remove gender identity from the bill and thereby leave out our transgender brothers and sisters. Transgender persons experience significant discrimination in the workplace, and also face high rates of HIV infection. One recent CDC study found that nearly 28 percent of male-to-female transgender people tested positive for HIV.
"As New Yorkers, we know the political realities of employment discrimination," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, GMHC's CEO. "Nearly five years ago, our state legislature passed a sexual orientation employment non-discrimination bill without any gender identity protections, and the likelihood of passing a stand-alone bill to make up for that grave omission is slim. We may have to wait many more years, or even decades, before our state legislators gain the courage to pass such basic civil rights legislation to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens. We know, after witnessing the recent vote on the hate crimes bill, that Congress can pass legislation inclusive of transgender protections. ENDA should be no different."
"Today we call on Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Barney Frank, and all of our local Members of Congress to stand up for fairness," continued Dr. Hill. "No member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender community should be left behind."
GMHC supports a fully inclusive ENDA and opposes any other version that would exclude those most in need of protection.
GAY MEN'S HEALTH CRISIS (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians.
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© 2007 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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