Summer capitol

Working to Pass a Fully Inclusive ENDA
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August 6, 2009
9 weeks for equality
With ENDA now introduced in both the House and the Senate, it is more important than ever that we take action and educate Congress about the need to pass a transgender-inclusive ENDA. We hope that you will take action on at least three of our suggestions this summer ... and all of them if you can. We'll include how-to information for each one.
 
Let's make this a summer for transgender equality!

THIS WEEK
Gather support: Collect letters of support from local organizations that you belong to and forward them to your members of Congress.
 
One way to show legislators that there is support for ENDA is to show the commitment to equal rights by members of the community. This is a great way for allies to make a significant difference by adding their voices and demonstrating broad based support for this measure.
 
Consider the different groups that you are a part of-such as unions, professional organizations, volunteer and civic groups, and communities of faith-and ask them to send a letter to your members of Congress outlining the group's support for ENDA.  The letter could state that the group has a non-discrimination policy that includes gender identity or give other reasons why that organization is in favor of ENDA.  Approach a member of the Board of Directors or the Executive Director, union steward, or other leader and ask them to write a letter on behalf of the organization.
 
Again, as with other letters, faxing is the most direct way to reach Congress, although you can mail it as well. Addresses and fax numbers are available on the Senate and House of Representatives websites.
 
Note: Non-profit organizations can work for the passage of legislation and contact members of Congress; they just cannot support particular candidates in an election.
 
Sample letter:
 
Date
 
The Honorable (First and Last name)
United State Senate or House of Representatives
Washington, DC
 
Subject: The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
 
Dear Senator/Representative (Last name):
 
Our organization, (name of organization), strongly supports the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a vital piece of legislation to address the discrimination that transgender people face. We believe, as do the majority of Americans, that discrimination should never be the basis for employment decisions.
 
(Include if you can, something specific about your organization, such as "Our bowling club has had a transgender member for several years and is an integral part of our group" or "Our union has an anti-discrimination policy that includes gender identity and we believe that people have the right to work free from prejudice" or "Our synagogue has a long history of supporting equal rights for all Americans.")
 
We hope that you will join us in supporting ENDA this year.
 
If you have any questions about this subject, please feel free to contact me at any time. I would be glad to talk with you about it.
 
Sincerely,
 
/signed/
 
Name of Contact Person
Organization
Address
City, State and Zip
Phone
E-mail

 
Need more information about ENDA? Read on ...
COMING UP
Here's the full list of action items for a summer of movement towards equality:
  1. Reach your members of Congress: Make an appointment TODAY to visit your Representative and Senators in August
  2. Spread the word: Sign the ENDA petition and get the word out to your friends by phone, email, twitter etc. to do the same; gather signatures at the local farmers' market, street fair, the student union etc. We'll send you more details next week.
  3. Educate the public: Write a letter-to-the-editor, write a blog or ask local paper to write an editorial in favor of ENDA
  4. Communicate the reasons: Write letters to your members of Congress or, better yet, host a letter-writing party and invite your friends, family, support group, etc.
  5. Gather support: Collect letters of support from local organizations, clubs, unions, churches, etc that you belong to and forward them to your members of Congress
  6. Be visible: Attend a town hall meeting or other in district gathering with your members of Congress
  7. Make the work possible: Host a fundraising party for your favorite organization working on ENDA, either in person or virtually, such as donating to a Facebook cause.
  8. Build relationships: Follow up on your contacts with members of Congress to build relationships
  9. Look ahead: Join us for a conference call about what we've accomplished and what the next steps are as together we move transgender equality forward.
 
About NCTE

The National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people. By empowering transgender people and our allies to educate and influence policymakers and others, NCTE facilitates a strong and clear voice for transgender equality in our nation's capital and around the country. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a 501(c)3 organization.