I love this guy:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
As the Senate prepares to vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act next week, the first openly-gay person elected to Pennsylvania's State Legislature is calling on Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to support the bill.
Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia) penned an open letter to Toomey on Friday, urging the senator to vote in favor of the landmark piece of legislation that would prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Sims called on Toomey to not only back the bill when it comes up for a vote, but also to sign on as a co-sponsor.
"Senator, I not only urge you as an openly gay man, but also as a fellow lawmaker and Pennsylvanian to vote in favor of ENDA when the legislation comes up for a vote next week, but I encourage you in the strongest terms possible to state right now, unequivocally, that you will be a co-sponsor of the bill as well," Sims wrote.
"In short, Senator, I believe that there is no single piece of civil rights legislation in existence that is more impactful to members of the LGBT community than a fully inclusive ENDA," Sims added. "This legislation does not create special rights, but simply includes hardworking LGBT people among the categories of Americans which the government is already protecting from employment discrimination. No one should lose their job, be subjected to discriminatory treatment or harassment, or be denied the opportunity for advancement because of bigotry, fear or hatred." - Huffington Post, 11/1/13
You can read all of Sims letter to Toomey here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Sims also does an excellent job putting Toomey in the hot seat in his letter:
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/...
Sims notes that Toomey has “a tremendous opportunity” to “proclaim your support for a more equal nation.”
While we all continue to grapple with issues of faith, morality, family and government, what is clear is that we are a people who believe in giving everyone a fair shot and a fair shake.
Sims also wisely linked ENDA to Toomey’s “steadfast commitment to job creation and increasing economic opportunities for the state,” and noted that while “the fringe opposition to equality may be a difficult burden to bear at times, the citizens of Pennsylvania are clear in their overwhelming support for these types of basic, commonsense protections.”
Toomey has also served as a U.S. Congressman, and as president of the Tea Party activist group, Club for Growth. While not serving as an elected official, Toomey did support the repeal of DADT, but still has a “0″ rating from HRC. He has voted for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage, and he voted to ban adoption by same-sex couples in Washington, D.C. - The New Civil Rights Movement, 11/1/13
Gay rights groups are making Toomey a top target because of the huge shift of support for gay rights in Pennsylvania:
http://www.usnews.com/...
Gay rights groups are also courting Republican Sens Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. , who both hail from swing states where gay rights have broader state-wide support.
"In order for the Republican Party to be able to stay competitive with younger voters, this is an issue where it would be very wise to support workplace protections for LGBT Americans," says Tico Almeida, the founder of Freedom to Work, a national LGBT organization.
Almeida's organization has also targeted Arizona Republican Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake through a phone banking campaign. And in October, the Human Rights Campaign, another LGBT advocacy group, commissioned McCain's wife Cindy McCain to sign a postcard to senators advocating for ENDA's passage in Congress.
Across the country, ENDA enjoys high public volumes of public support with 81 percent of Democrats and 66 percent of Republicans embracing the law. - U.S. News, 11/1/13
Toomey's office has stated that he is undecided about supporting ENDA but he better make a decision soon:
http://www.washingtonblade.com/...
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) officially set up a Monday vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act by filing cloture for the bill on the Senate floor Thursday evening.
Reid made the announcement on the Senate floor with little fanfare before he moved on to other business and adjourned the Senate until Monday at 2 pm.
Faiz Shakir, a Reid spokesperson, estimated the cloture vote on ENDA will take place around 5:45 on Monday and a final vote will take place sometime on Wednesday.
By filing cloture on the bill, Reid starts for the time period for when cloture vote will take place to enable the bill to move to the floor. After filing for cloture, the vote will take place after an intervening day and one hour pass. For a successful vote on cloture, 60 votes are required in the Senate.
After cloture is invoked, up to 30 hours of debate can take place before a vote happens on final passage, which requires a simple majority. But the vote for final passage could take place sooner if both parties agree to give up the time. - Washington Blade, 10/31/13
Toomey prides himself on being a Tea Party Republican but with his approval at an all time low, his extreme brand of conservatism isn't winning him over any support. He tried to prove he could work with Democrats by drafting a watered down background checks bill with Senator Joe Manchin (D. WV), which ended up failing in the Senate because the majority of his party and a few Democrats killed it. He then blamed President Obama for the bill's failure instead of his own party. He also voted against every other logical gun control initiative including banning assault weapons. Toomey, who Dick Armey called "the original Tea Party Republican" finds himself in a tough spot. He can either shift towards the center more and become what he hated (Arlen Specter) or he can continue to make himself look out of touch with the majority of Pennsylvanians. He has to choose between being a Specter or a Tom Corbett/Rick Santorum. The ball is in his court. But I say we put some pressure on Toomey. You can contact his office here:
(202) 224-4254
http://www.toomey.senate.gov/...
And if you live in Pennsylvania, I suggest filling the phone lines on his local offices:
Erie: (814) 453-3010
Scranton: (570) 941-3540
Allentown/Lehigh Valley: (610) 434-1444
Philadelphia: (215) 241-1090
Harrisburg: (717) 782-3951
Johnstown: (814) 266-5970
Pittsburgh: (412) 803-3501