Did you know that in 29 states you can be fired just for being gay, lesbian, or bisexual? (Click ” title=”study ” target=”_blank”>study found that complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation filed by employees in states with laws protecting such employees are filed at similar rates to those filed by women alleging sex discrimination. Yeah, you heard that right – gay, lesbian, and bisexual people file complaints that the same rate as women. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 has fallen victim to our inefficient and paralyzed Congress, so it hasn’t been voted on. President Obama, meanwhile, has said that he would sign the bill if it reached his desk.
And yet, there is good news, especially for those of us who work in the Jewish community. Today, one of the leading funders of Jewish organizations, the ” title=”this” target=”_blank”>this op-ed in today’s JTA.
Wow. You heard that correctly, one of the largest contributors to Jewish organizations, funding things from Birthright to Hillel to BBYO, has made nondiscrimination policies a requirement to receive funding. This is a huge step forward in the Jewish community in terms of making it a priority that all people are treated equally in the workplace.
