Resolution - Employment for All.

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino organization, founded in Corpus Christi, Texas, on February 17,1929; and
 
WHEREAS, LULAC, throughout its history has committed itself to the principles the Latinos have equal access to the opportunities in employment, education, housing and healthcare; and
 
WHEREAS, LULAC has supported opportunities for economic development, political influence, civil rights and the general welfare of all Latinos in the United States; and
 
WHEREAS, when LULAC states "all Latinos" it includes those in the Latino community who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender; and
 
WHEREAS, U.S. employment law does not protect LGBT persons from discrimination and/or termination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and
 
WHEREAS, the most recent poll conducted by Newsweek (Princeton Survey Research Associates International, Dec. 3-4, 2008) on the subject of protections in the workplace found that 87 percent favor equal rights for gays and lesbians in terms of job opportunities; and
 
WHEREAS, it is a fundamental American value that people who do their jobs, pay their taxes, and contribute to their communities should not be singled out for unfair workplace discrimination; and
 
WHEREAS, LGBT people face pervasive discrimination in the workplace which prevent them from working and contributing to society; and
 
WHEREAS, the great cities of Austin, Dallas, EI Paso and Houston have passed local ordinances prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in the workplace, and
 
Now therefore, be it resolved, that LULAC, which supports the current employment protections of race, color, religion, sex national origin, disability, age and veteran status, advocates the expansion of these protections to include all Americans; and
 
Be it resolved, that LULAC appeals to the U.S. Congress to pass and U.S. President Barack Obama to follow up on his campaign pledge to sign into law the Employee Non Discrimination Act, which extends workplace protections to LGBT Americans.

Approved this 18th day of July 2009.

Rosa Rosales
LULAC National President