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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 ... 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!
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THIS WEEK
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Build
relationships: Follow up on your contacts with members of Congress to build
relationships
You've gone and visited your
member of Congress, called or written expressing your support for ENDA and
urging them to do the same. What next? The way to make truly meaningful impact
with members of Congress and other policymakers is to build on that relationship.
Having ongoing contact lets them know that you are truly concerned about this
issue and dedicated to making a real difference. It can also put a human
face on our cause.
Here are some suggestions:
- Be sure to send a thank you note after a visit
with your member of Congress or a staff member in his/her office. There's a
sample letter in Make Your Voice Heard,
NCTE's resource on educating members of Congress about transgender issues. (see
page 20).
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Keep an eye on the list of co-sponsors for ENDA
and notice if your member of Congress has been added to the
list. If so, send them a note thanking them for their support. You can find the co-sponsors by going to Thomas, the Library of Congress site, and searching by bill numbers HR 3017 and S 1584.
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If your member of Congress is undecided about
ENDA, follow up with a staff member in the office who has ENDA on her/his
portfolio. Ask if the Senator or Representative needs any additional
information in order to make a decision to support this legislation. NCTE can
help you answer any questions they may have.
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Invite your member of Congress to a transgender
event, such as a conference or social event. You can ask your member of
Congress to speak at a Day of Remembrance vigil or gathering. This reminds them
that the community is organized and active and brings some of the realities of
transgender lives into focus for them. The sooner before the event that you ask, the greater your chance of getting a member of Congress to attend.
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After the vote on ENDA takes place, write or
call your member of Congress and express your thanks or disappointment with the
way that s/he voted. This provides immediate feedback to them and helps lay the
groundwork for the next bill that will come along.
You should contact your member
of Congress often enough to communicate that you are a concerned citizen and
active in this process, but not so much that you are disruptive to their work
in any way.
Moving equality forward really
is about building relationships.
Need more information about ENDA? Read on ...
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COMING UP
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Here's the full list of action items for a summer of movement towards equality:
- Reach
your members of Congress: Make an appointment TODAY to visit your Representative
and Senators in August
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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.
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Educate
the public: Write a letter-to-the-editor, write a blog or ask local paper
to write an editorial in favor of ENDA
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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.
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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
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Be
visible: Attend a town hall meeting or other in district gathering with
your members of Congress
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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.
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Build
relationships: Follow up on your contacts with members of Congress to build
relationships
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Look
ahead: Explore what
the next steps are as together we move transgender equality forward.
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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. |
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