After White House officials and members of Congress met Monday to discuss a possible repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, the U.S. House and a Senate voted Thursday night to include repeal amendments in their versions of the defense bill.
The repeal of the policy, which President Bill Clinton signed into law in 1993, would go into effect after a military review and approval by President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen.
"The NGLCC sees Don't Ask, Don't Tell as an employment issue, which bans willing and able LGBT Americans from serving their country and holding down jobs," said Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce® (NGLCC). "These votes to repeal this policy is a step in the right direction for many reasons."
Now, as ENDA awaits action in the U.S. House, the NGLCC is encouraging everyone to contact their representatives to urge them to pass the fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The legislation is currently in House committee and is expected to see a vote soon.
"The House has said it plans to have a vote on ENDA very soon, so we would like to encourage everyone to contact their representatives to let them know that we cannot wait any longer on the passage of a fully inclusive ENDA," Nelson said.
The NGLCC is one of more than 400 organizations—all members of the United ENDA coalition—urging their members to reach out to public officials to co-sponsor the bill, and, at the very least, support its passage.
"The ENDA Week of Action that took place last week was highly effective, but we want all of our constituents to continue reaching out to their elected officials and emphasizing the importance of a fully inclusive ENDA," Nelson said.
Members are also invited to join the Business Coalition for Workplace Equality.
