The MCLU supports workplace giving through MaineShare

Because Freedom Can't Protect Itself.

Dear friends,

Yesterday, Charles Dwyer of Augusta and Sandy Osterby of Bangor testified movingly before the Legislature's Labor Committee about their difficulty taking time off from work to care for their seriously ill and dying partners.

Charles and Sandy were joined by the MCLU's Shenna Bellows and many others to urge the Legislature to extend the protections of Maine's Family Medical Leave Act to all of Maine's loving, committed families. As Shenna testified, it is not only unfair, but also unconstitutional, to deny some Mainers the protections of the Family Medical Leave Act simply because they are gay.

DISCRIMINATION IS A CIVIL LIBERTIES ISSUE
As has been proven time and again, discrimination against one group of people threatens the civil liberties of ALL people, and there is no such thing as separate but equal. The MCLU believes that the only way to protect the freedoms outlined in the Bill of Rights is to guarantee that everyone has the same rights.

DISCRIMINATION HAS NO PLACE IN MAINE
Amending the Family Medical Leave Act to include Maine's LGBT workers is not only in keeping with the values of equality and justice laid out by the United States Constitution, but also with the values of the people of Maine. Extending the Family Medical Leave Act to ensure that ALL hard-working Mainers are able to care for their families and loved ones without putting their jobs at risk is the next step in ending discrimination in Maine.

YOU CAN HELP END DISCRIMINATION
Please take a few minutes today to write a letter to the editor of your local paper about this important issue. To find out more, and for sample LTEs and e-mail addresses for sending the letters, click here.

With your help, we can make sure no Mainer ever has to choose between caring for a loved one and keeping a job. Please write a letter today!

Take care,
Rachel

Action Center

read the archive>>>