US: HR-2981 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009
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US Bill Text: hXXp://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2981
US Bill Status: hXXp://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2981When I contacted my Congressman to express my concern that he support this Bill, here is his sad "canned" reply on letterhead:
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Thank you for contacting me to express your views regarding H.R. 2981, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009. It was good to hear from you.
As you know, H.R. 2981 was introduced by Rep. Barney Frank on June 19, 2009. This bill would prohibit employers from taking into consideration sexual orientation or gender identity in their hiring practices.
Like you, I believe that no group should be discriminated against in the workplace. However, I do not believe any group should be given special rights in the employment process, either. Under this legislation, sexual orientation and gender identity would be given special consideration.
Unfortunately, rather than reduce discrimination, this bill will result in increased litigation and decreased religious freedom. H.R. 2981 will invite frivolous lawsuits based on "perceived" sexual orientation at the expense of the freedom of employers' and employees' moral convictions.
I believe that we must return to the fundamental beliefs upon with this nation was founded: hard work, self-reliance, and equal opportunity. Only by eliminating barriers of special preferences, which prevent job growth and prosperity, can the employment prospects of all Americans, including homosexuals, improve.
Thanks for sharing your views with me. Please don't hesitate to contact me in the future on any issue that concerns you or your family.
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Ask him to author a bill to remove the special protections that are already the law; ie religion, race, creed, color, gender, disability, etc, etc and see how he replies.
Of course he won't have the courage to do that.
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Once again, a politician that will only respond to an attack on his re-electability. With out a mass out cry from his election base his Homophobic attitude will continue to be the norm.
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Ask him to author a bill to remove the special protections that are already the law; ie religion, race, creed, color, gender, disability, etc, etc and see how he replies.
What a grand idea.
I just spoke to one of his secretaries and re-expressed my concerns that he support this bill, suggesting that his reasoning for non-support were ill-founded (using your example). I wonder how the "canned" follow-up letter will read.
