Time to bring focus on ENDA to the South

Special to the Gayly

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is on the ground working in Arkansas to urge Senator Mark Pryor to vote in favor of the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). Most recently, James Rector was hired by HRC along with three field organizers to lead these efforts in the ‘Natural State.’ Rector is based in Fayetteville, and covers the northern portion of the state. He is also the president of the NWA Center for Equality, a grassroots support and advocacy movement working to achieve full equality for the LGBTQ community in Northwest Arkansas.

"This truly has been an honor to have the opportunity to work with an organization that is working for full inclusion and equal protections for LGBT citizens," said Rector. "There has been sweeping change happening across this nation, and it's time to bring focus to the south."

There are no state laws protecting LGBT Americans against bias based on sexual orientation in 29 states, and gender identity in 33. ENDA would extend federal employment discrimination protections currently provided based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age and disability to sexual orientation and gender identity. Thus, ENDA extends fair employment practices - not special rights - to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

HRC has joined the efforts of the Americans for Workplace Opportunity coalition along with other groups including the National Center for Transgender Equality, American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

For more information, or how to get involved contact James Rector at jamesr@workplaceopportunity.org.

As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC's vision a reality.

Founded in 1980, HRC advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about LGBT issues.

October 12, 2013