WASHINGTON - January 29 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund hails President Barack Obama's signing into law today the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which will make it easier for workers to sue for decades-old discrimination. The law effectively remedies a Supreme Court decision that stipulated that workers only had 180 days to file a pay-discrimination lawsuit. Task Force staff attended today's bill-signing ceremony.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund

"This is an important step forward for the people of the United States, many of whom are struggling in these difficult economic times. This law will help extinguish a deep injustice that has unfairly and unnecessarily placed workers and their families in a vulnerable position. All of society benefits when its people are treated and compensated fairly, and when ending pay discrimination is made a top priority, as it has been with this new administration.

"The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund is proud to have stood with our partners in the women's rights and labor movements in support of this critical legislation. We look forward to continuing our work with Congress and the administration to improve employment opportunities and advance economic justice."