Take action to protect workers from employment discrimination

These are tough times for American workers, even tougher if you are older, LGBT, or both.

So, how tough is it? A recent government report shows that unemployment rates for workers of all ages have skyrocketed since the start of the recent recession in December 2007. Workers age 55 and over face particularly high unemployment, and long periods without a job. AARP spotlights just how pervasive age discrimination is for these workers.

Its research shows that over one-third of older voters report that they or someone they know has experienced age discrimination in the workplace; roughly 8 in 10 older voters say it is important for Congress to take action and restore workplace protections against age discrimination. Across party and ideological lines, nearly 80% of older voters support the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, which will restore protections lost for older workers following the Supreme Court’s decision in Gross v. FBL Financial.

Passage of this bill is vital because no one should be stripped of protections simply because they’re growing older.

Another critical bill is the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would bar job discrimination against LGBT people. No one should fear losing their livelihood because of who they are or who they love. ENDA would keep that from happening.

Now, imagine if you are an older person who is also lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. That’s a double whammy of discrimination! They get hit twice — as older workers and as LGBT people. They are more economically vulnerable than other older Americans due to a lifetime of systemic discrimination.

So, what to do?

Urge for passage of both the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

We need both these measures to protect our community, and you can help make it happen.

Join us right here by calling on Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) to bring ENDA to a vote. It’s fast, easy, and will make a profound difference in the lives of LGBT people of all ages!