SIGNATURE VERIFICATION UPDATE

This week, the Secretary of State's office arrived at an official count of the signatures turned in by opponents of Oregon's recently passed anti-discrimination and domestic partnership laws. According to elections officials, 60,531 signatures were submitted on the domestic partnership referendum, along with 59,791 on the anti-discrimination petition.
55,179 valid signatures are required to qualify a referendum to the ballot in Oregon. A statistical sampling of signatures from each petition is now at or on its way to county clerks for signature verification.
Basic Rights Oregon continues to closely monitor this process. Yesterday, we placed trained volunteer observers in county elections offices to ensure that only the valid signatures of registered voters are counted in the final tally.
We expect to have more definitive news next week. Basic Rights Oregon appreciates your continued support as we defend Oregon?s anti-discrimination laws!
IT'S TIME: JOIN US ON OCTOBER 13
No matter what the news is next week, we have a lot to be proud of this year. We invite you to join us at Basic Rights Oregon's 25th Anniversary Dinner & Auction on October 13th. Celebrate with us at the Masquerade! Join us in honoring community leader Terry Bean! And don't miss your opportunity to bid on fabulous vacation getaways to Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta, Portugal, and more! For tickets and event information, visit http://eqfed.org/ct/b1Ncqsd19z8h/dinner. See you at the Masquerade!
ENDA UPDATE: ACT NOW TO SUPPORT AN INCLUSIVE ENDA!
Last week, we asked you to contact Members of Congress urging them support the original, unamended version of the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Hundreds of you responded and sent nearly one thousand e-mails to our elected representatives with a clear message: the LGBT community demands a fully inclusive ENDA.
Congress heard you loud and clear - the plan to amend the original bill was scrapped. But there are now plans to introduce a rival version of the bill that would exclude gender identity and weaken protections for everyone. It is critical that our representatives hear from each of us now to urge them again to SUPPORT the original ENDA--and to oppose any attempts to weaken legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
To omit a segment of the community from anti-discrimination legislation is wrong - philosophically, morally and strategically -- and removing protections based on gender identity and expression actually leaves a huge loophole in protection for lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people. If the revised ENDA were to pass, employers could simply fire anyone for expressing their gender in a way that does not conform to gender stereotypes.
Finally, given that our current president is unlikely to sign a law protecting lesbian and gay people from employment discrimination, we are currently facing a choice between standing on principle and losing or abandoning principle and losing. We see only one correct position to take: ENDA must protect all Americans from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
Please take action today to help ensure that ENDA protects every member of the LGBT community.
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is a federal bill that would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote employees simply based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It would reinforce the principle that employment decisions should be based upon a person's qualifications and job performance.