November, 17 2010, 10:45am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
1050 Connecticut Ave NW,Suite 65500,Washington, DC 20035,Phone: 202-393-5177
Task Force Denounces U.S. Senate's Failure to Advance Paycheck Fairness Act to a Vot
WASHINGTON
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force responded to the U.S.
Senate's failure today to allow a vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act,
which sought to strengthen laws prohibiting sex discrimination in wages.
The Paycheck Fairness Act needed 60 votes to move forward, and only
secured 58. The legislation previously passed in the U.S. House with
bipartisan support.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"It's unfathomable to think that in 21st-century America, pay equity
between men and women remains elusive. That a woman gets 77 cents to a
man's dollar for doing similar work is outrageous and unfair. This isn't
simply a matter of principle, it's about women being able to put food
on their family's table, it's about being able to pay the bills, it's
about having a roof over one's head, it's about having a fair shake,
it's about not being discriminated against in pay solely because of your
gender. Pay equity affects each of our lives, and the lives of all of
our families. It is an outrage that the Senate today refused to allow
this common-sense bill to move forward. It is shameful that so many
senators voted against the economic security of American women and our
families -- this includes lesbian, bisexual and transgender women,
particularly women of color, who are vulnerable to inequity. This is a
grave disservice to all our families and our country."
The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people. We are building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we've made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights. These barriers must go. That's why the Task Force is training and mobilizing millions of activists across our nation to deliver a world where you can be you. Join us!
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