Parents, Families, and Friends

PFLAG

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States. PFLAG’s mission promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. PFLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) supports equal employment practices and employee benefits for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Employment non-discrimination policies acknowledge the value of all employees and create a safe and positive workplace environment for all. Such practices recognize the dignity of every person to have equal opportunities to work, and affirm the right of each person to participate equally.

In 2009, the Employment Non Discrimination Act was introduced in the 111th Congress by Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) in the house. The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Susan Collins (R-ME). On September 23, 2009, the House Education and Labor Committee held a full committee hearing in the house on the legislation.

The provisions set forth by ENDA are as follows:

1. Extend federal employment discrimination protections currently provided based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age and disability to sexual orientation and gender identity.

2. Prohibits public and private employers, employment agencies and labor unions from using an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for employment decisions, such as hiring, firing, promotion or compensation.
3. Provides for the same procedures, and similar, but somewhat more limited, remedies as are permitted under Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
4. Applies to Congress and the federal government, as well as employees of state and local governments.

To learn more about the PFLAG mission, how you can get involved, and donate if you choose to – visit their website here.