[Blog/Commentary] [USA] Calling Speaker Pelosi: Time to Move ENDA
Stephanie Stevens
Calling Speaker Pelosi: Time to Move ENDA
Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
March 11, 2010 11:30 AM
We in the LGBT community have been made many promises. We have been
patient, more or less, although somewhat mystified as to why our
legislative agenda has not really moved much beyond passing ONE bill
(the hate crimes bill, which, while important, will affect very few
people).
Meanwhile, the people of Virginia are up in arms over their new
Republican Governor refusing job protections for gay workers in public
employment. People were marching in the streets over there. The
Governor has been busy backtracking.
But in the rest of the U.S., where job protections for LGBT workers is
non-existent on the federal level, where frustration on the part of
LGBT citizens is beginning to boil over, where we have to hide and
duck and lie about our sexual orientation and gender identity or
accept unemployment and underemployment...in that alternate universe,
the Democratic Speaker of the House from San Francisco, Nancy Pelosi,
is stomping on our rights by refusing to move ENDA.
It is time to start calling the office of Nancy Pelosi, and demanding
that she move ENDA (HR 3017). Her office telephone number is
202-225-4965.
Word is trickling out of Washington, D.C. that the big holdup is not
Chairman George Miller, in whose House Committee ENDA is currently
languishing. Chairman Miller is ready to move.
The big holdup is not Representative Barney Frank, who has been
championing ENDA since its introduction in 1994. He has promised a
House vote in March, and he is standing firm on that promise.
No, the big holdup is the Speaker of the House, Democrat of San
Francisco. According to reports from D.C., although her office is
saying that she supports the job protections of ENDA -- she is
actually telling Chairman George Miller and Representative Barney
Frank that she does not want ENDA to move because it will interfere
with health reform.
Some of you may ask why I don't give her email address. The reason is
that it is time for you to get off your keyboard and start taking
actions that count. Emails don't cut it. If you want job protections,
you had better learn to ask in real time, where legislative votes
happen. They dump those emails into the sea. Receptionist time is
valuable.
202-225-4965. Punch those buttons.
It is time to call, and it is time for direct action. Citizens of San
Francisco, where Speaker Pelosi holds her base of power with the
consent of the large LGBT community there, it is time to start talking
to your Representative.
Yes, DADT repeal is important. But in case you haven't noticed -- they
are lining up to make sure that it doesn't happen this year, talking
about year-long studies and military opposition. Sure, let's kick ass
and take names to move that along. But don't drop the bird you've got
in the hand.
That's their old trick -- the same trick I used use on my toddler 17
years ago. When he cried because he wanted a toy he couldn't have, I
would start singing, or tickling, or making funny faces. It worked,
because he couldn't hold his attention for more than two seconds. He
literally forgot to cry. The public is the same way.
They are standing in the corner, singing about ducks or some other
interesting nonsense, putting their underwear on their heads and
making their eyebrows do fascinating things probably not intended by
nature. Pretty engaging stuff, oh yes. But don't be fooled. You're not
getting that damned toy.
Let's start calling Speaker Pelosi every day until we hear that the
vote is moving forward. I will continue to write on this topic every
day until I hear that the vote is moving. Sure, let's lobby our local
Congressmembers too. But we've got enough votes in the House. What we
need is spine in the leadership.
202-225-4965. Punch those buttons.
http://www.bilerico.com/2010/03/calling_speaker_pelosi_time_to_move_enda.php