America’s workers spend almost half of their waking adult lives at work. In return, the basic American bargain is that those who work hard can get ahead—no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they look like. For lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workers, however, this bargain is broken.
Instead of prosperity, hard work is often rewarded by on-the-job discrimination, fewer workplace benefits, and higher taxes, simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In most parts of the country an employer may legally fire a worker just because that worker is LGBT.
Please join the Center for American Progress for the release of the most comprehensive report to date cataloguing the experience of LGBT workers. This report, A Broken Bargain: Discrimination, Fewer Benefits and More Taxes for LGBT Workers, examines the myriad injustices facing LGBT workers and offers commonsense policy recommendations that would combat discrimination and thus give all workers—regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity—a greater opportunity to make a living and support their families.
The report was authored by the Center for American Progress (CAP), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), in partnership with Freedom to Work, National Partnership for Women and Families, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, and SEIU—and features a foreword by Small Business Majority.
Welcoming remarks:
Neera Tanden, President, Center for American Progress
Keynote Remarks:
Senator Jeff Merkley, (D-OR)
Presentation of report findings:
Ineke Mushovic, Executive Director, Movement Advancement Project
Jeff Krehely, Vice President and Chief Foundation Officer, Human Rights Campaign
Presentation of small business poll findings:
Rhett Buttle, Vice President, External Affairs, Small Business Majority
Panel discussion:
Mia Macy, discriminated LGBT worker
Sam Hall, discriminated LGBT worker
Bill Hendrix, Gays, Lesbians, and Allies Co-Chair, Dow Chemical Company
T.J. Maloney, Director of Government Affairs, Marriott International
Nicole G. Berner, Associate General Counsel, SEIU
Moderator:
Dr. Dorian Warren, Assistant Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University