We need LGBT Workplace protection
As of this writing, there are only 41 more days left in the Texas Legislative Session of 2013. That’s not a lot of time to get the “fair employment act” (SB 237) through to becoming law but, we’ve done a lot more in a lot less time so this is certainly something that we can win.
In order to win, we will need your help to do so!
Employment Discrimination Statistics:
- An estimated 431,000 members of the Texas workforce identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
- 26% of transgender Texans report being fired solely based on their gender identity.
- 12% of lesbian and gay Texans report being fired because of their sexual orientation.
- 37% of gay and lesbian Texans report being harassed at work due to their sexual orientation .
We can and we must work together to change this. Please, sign the petition below urging the senate committee on economic development to move forward with this bill.
In addition, call the committee members every day to remind them that this issue is urgent and that we need our job protections!
These are the Senators that are currently voting “no” on the bill. This petition will be emailed directly to them. It will also help tremendously if you call each of them once a day to re-iterate the need for this bill to pass.
Sen. Bob Deuell – Chair
(R-Greenville)
Sen. Brian Birdwell
(R-Granbury)
Sen. Kelly Hancock
(R-N.Richland Hills)
Sen. Troy Fraser
(R-Horseshoe Bay)
Lastly: In order to ensure that this bill passes, we will be engaging in non-violent civil disobedient action which holds a high risk for arrest. Please consider donating so that the activists engaged in these actions will be able to bailed out of jail quickly and get home to their families. https://getequaltx.org/donate/
It is a matter of urgency that the Senate Committee on Economic Development vote and pass Senate Bill 237 “The Fair Employment Act”.
Currently, it is legal in Texas to fire, refuse to hire, refuse to promote, or otherwise discriminate against someone solely based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“My government’s duty is to protect me, and preserve my rights, and secure this nation” ~ Sen. Brian Birdwell
If you agree with this statement, as I do, then I know that a bill that was designed to do just that, would be something that you would be championing.The facts are as follows:
- An estimated 431,000 members of the Texas workforce identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
- 26% of transgender Texans report being fired solely based on their gender identity.
- 12% of lesbian and gay Texans report being fired because of their sexual orientation.
- 37% of gay and lesbian Texans report being harassed at work due to their sexual orientation.Senate Bill 237 would do a great deal to help those Texans who are effected by the lack of protection provided in our law by giving the Texas Workforce Commission the ability to file and investigate discrimination claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
You have within your power to help fix the problem and I am simply asking you to use it by doing the following:
- sign on as co-author to the bill
- urge the committee to take a vote and get this bill to the senate floorThank you for your time and service to the state of Texas and thank you, in advance, for your support of this bill.
