Dear friends,
Today was the first day that I sat on the Executive Board of the National Pride at Work. Nearly 30 lesbian and gay labor leaders from across the country sit on the board. Only two of us are transgender, Donna Cartwright and myself. Today I was so proud to be a member of this Board. Today, without hesitation, before Donna and I said a word, almost the entire Executive Board decided to oppose the new version of ENDA that dropped transgender protections from the bill.
The Board also almost unanimously decided to picket the Speaker at the next HRC dinner in Washington D.C. next week. All I can say is that last night I was hopeful that my gay male brothers and lesbian sisters would rise up against this very calculated and divisive decision. I am happy to report that my hopes were realized today. Moreover, all the people in my life that I care about got it. They all have been allies and I hope that are trans folks across the country have had the same experience as I where my allies, my friends, and my chosen family have all rallied against this divisive tactic and opposed the current version of ENDA. Even more, groups like the National Center for Lesbian Rights and many other LGBT groups have also come out in opposition.
Please read below for the details of another decision that the National Board made. Over the next week, we will be contacting labor leaders across the country to contact Pelosi’s office to urge her to reconsider this decision. Clearly, it was a mistake but it isn’t too late to change it. History books will look back at this moment and I hope that she and you are on the right side of this question. Please let others know about the picket and urge organizations that you are part of to join us in this effort. If that doesn’t work, then we will be picketing her at the HRC Gala next week in D.C. Many are considering flying out to join our brothers and sisters in D.C. Hope you can make it or make your voice heard on this important decision. Read the email from the National Board below for details on the picket.
Best,
Robert

Subject: Robert, Speak Up And Picket Nancy Pelosi- Join The Picket Line!

Help Us Raise The Voice Of Working Class LGBT Folks
Dear Robert Haaland,
Picket House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at HRC National Gala In Washington, DC- Oct. 6

Congressman Barney Frank and the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, are attempting to scuttle a trans-inclusive the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) by introducing a separate bill covering sexual orientation only, as well as a token bill on gender identity.

The only major LGBT group that has not come out against this betrayal is HRC, which will be holding its 11th Annual Gala next Saturday in Washington, DC. Congresswoman Pelosi is the keynote speaker for the dinner.

Only a few weeks ago, HRC leader Joe Solomonese pledged at a major transgender conference that HRC would outright oppose any federal anti-discrimination legislation that did not include gender identity. You can watch the video here.. Demand that he keep his word!

We’ve been kicked to the curb. Join us on the curb to picket the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and demand an ENDA covering gender identity. As labor unionists we won’t sell out any part of our community.

We call on all LGBT and allied organizations that support gender identity inclusion in ENDA to join us.

Meet at 4:15 p.m.; Picket begins at 4:30 before the Major Donors Reception and continues through the General Reception beginning at 6 PM.

Location:
Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
(near 9th St & Mass Ave)
Washington DC

For more information contact:
Jeremy Bishop
Executive Director
Pride At Work, AFL-CIO
202-637-5014
jbishop@aflcio.org