As Gay Pride Month comes to a close, the speeches are a mere whisper in the past, the rainbow streamers and confetti are swept from the streets of cities across America, and life resumes as normal. However, ENDA looms over the horizon as a reminder that we still have very far to go.

Introduced at the end of April, the bipartisan Employment Non-Discrimination Act ( ENDA ) has a great chance at passage this session and Illinois is pivotal to its success. It's time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to the business of improving our country by working to ensure that all workers are treated with fairness and equality.

ENDA addresses discrimination in the workplace by making it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee based on the person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

While a majority of America's largest businesses have developed policies acknowledging that a person's sexual orientation or gender identity has nothing to do with his or her job performance, there are still too many places where it is legal to treat workers unfairly.

It's time for all the citizens in the land of Lincoln to once again stand at the forefront of making history. We must insist that our Congressmen and Congresswomen vote to ensure that all employers implement equal workplace protections and policies for their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees.

In 33 states across America, it is still legal to fire someone based on his or her sexual orientation, and in 42 states, it is still legal to fire someone for being transgender. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would end this workplace discrimination and Illinois can help make this happen.

Congressman Dan Lipinski holds a pivotal vote. If you live in his district he needs to hear from you. The vote may happen as early as next week. Contact him and urge him to vote YES on ENDA - HB2015.

Contact Congressman Dan Lipinski at 312 886-0481. To send an e-mail, go to www.passendanow.org .

Mel Ferrand

HRC-Chicago

To Your Health

Dear Editor:

Recently in Springfield, the House Democrats voted for what they falsely billed as a no-growth budget for Illinois. Despite the name, this budget would actually result in deep funding cuts for healthcare and other social services essential to people living with and at risk for HIV.

The House Democrat's budget is $600 million to $1.2 billion short of the full amount needed to balance the state's budget next year. Were this budget to be enacted, doctors participating in Medicaid—the state's single largest payer of healthcare for people living with HIV—would have to wait an additional 30 days to be paid, jeopardizing their participation in the program. Supportive housing programs for 700 people living with HIV/AIDS and other conditions would not be funded.

Instead, we urge legislative leaders to come to agreement on a budget that adequately funds the state's current programs. They must also address the ever-rising number of people in Illinois who lack health insurance, including people living with HIV/AIDS. Illinois Covered, Governor Blagojevich's landmark health care plan, would provide health insurance to half of the 40,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Illinois, and do more to end the AIDS epidemic than any program in the state's history.

We urge members of the House to ask Speaker Mike Madigan to back away from the draconian no-growth budget and enact a sensible state budget that adequately meets the needs of the people of Illinois. In particular, we ask that the General Assembly enact comprehensive healthcare coverage.

John Peller

AIDS Foundation of Chicago

A Sporting Chance

Dear Editor,

I was delighted to see Windy City Times report on the development of Chicago Wrestling Club ( CWC ) and its trip to Golden Gate's Don Jung memorial Tournament in San Francisco ( 'Getting a Hold on the Chicago Wrestling Club,' May 30 ) .

Despite the traveling squad's relatively small size, the team did extremely well recently, placing fourth. Josh Watkins, the only wrestler to pin all of his opponents, won the inaugural Captain's Trophy for wrestling citizenship and excellence.

Chicago had no LGBT-friendly wrestling club at the time the city was selected to host the 2006 Gay Games. Wrestlers WithOut Borders backed the Chicago bid largely based on our members' faith that the abundance of wrestling talent in the Midwest would help to create a new club there. That faith has been amply rewarded with the efforts of CWC's founders and their close association with the Illinois USA Wrestling officials.

Here's hoping for continued friendly rivalries among our clubs and the continued support of Chicago for this noble sport.

Roger Brigham

Chair, Wrestlers WithOut Borders

Oakland, CA