OR-Sen: Sign Jeff Merkley (D) & HRC's Petition For Pres. Obama To Sign An Executive Decision On ENDA

DailyKos:

Received this e-mail from Senator Jeff Merkley (D. OR) and the Human Rights Campaign this morning:

In more than half of the states in this country, you can be called into your boss's office and handed your walking papers – just for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. It's easy, it's legal, and it's wrong. But with the simple stroke of a pen, President Obama could continue his strong leadership on equality and expand protections against workplace discrimination to more than 16 million Americans – 20% of our nation's workforce. All it would take is an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. So, just last month 36 fellow U.S. senators and I called on President Obama to act without delay – but I need you with us, too. No one should have to fear losing a job just because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. Act now: Join me in asking President Obama to issue this crucial executive order now. There's no reason anyone should have to face discrimination at work for even one more day: https://secure3.convio.net/... The President's action would also help build momentum in the continuing effort to make the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) the law of the land. In his final months, Senator Ted Kennedy asked me to step in and take over his fight for ENDA – and I've accepted his charge as a personal honor and obligation. Federal contractors earn around $500 billion from federal taxpayers every year. Many of them already have progressive non-discrimination policies in place, which means an executive order of this type wouldn't impose radical new rules. Instead, President Obama's order would speed up the pace of change by declaring that our government will only award taxpayer dollars to companies with pro-equality workplace policies. Since 2009, President Obama has led the charge on hate crimes legislation and the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” plus he was the first-ever sitting president to come out in favor of marriage equality. Putting an end to any discrimination among federal contractors based on sexual orientation or gender identity is the next, natural step for the most pro-equality president in history. Send a letter to President Obama today. Urge him to protect LGBT workers and their families by issuing an executive order barring discrimination by federal contractors: https://secure3.convio.net/... I truly appreciate you adding your voice and helping spread equality across the nation. Your support means a lot to me and to so many others. Sincerely, Sen. Jeff Merkley Democrat of Oregon

Here's the petition again: https://secure3.convio.net/...

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