US Capitol in the Fall

November Update
From the National Center for Transgender Equality
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November 24, 2009
Just a quick update to let you know about all of the things that have been happening around the NCTE offices this November. Our staff also extends to all of you a happy Thanksgiving.
IT'S THANKSGIVING WEEK: WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR ENDA

thanksgivingWhile members of Congress are home in their states for the Thanksgiving Break, there are important actions we can take to help move the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) forward. Thanksgiving is a time when we're often gathered with family and friends--and it's a time we can ask those folks to place a call and make a difference.

First, the Congressional Switchboard (202) 224-3121 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can call over the holiday weekend and leave a message. That way, when Congressional staffs come back to work on Monday, November 30, they will listen to message after message about ENDA. We know that the right wing will be calling ... let's make sure that our voices are being heard too!

Second, what better time to thank ENDA's cosponsors? You can find a list of House co-sponsors here and Senate cosponsors here. Why is it important to contact people who are already on board? By calling them, we can demonstrate that there is community support and need for this bill and encourage them to take an even more active role in getting their colleagues on board to vote for this bill.

We can keep this bill moving forward in a positive and timely way by keeping those calls, letters and visits coming. NCTE and other organizations are continuing in active dialogue with the Committee on Education and Labor and with members of the House Equality Caucus on a daily basis. We're looking forward to sharing with you the new date for mark up just as soon as we hear from the Committee.

NCTE WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBER

Jazmin SutherlinNCTE is pleased to welcome Jazmin Sutherlin, our new administrative and executive assistant. She came to Washington in 2004 as a professional musician and make-up artist. After transitioning, she decided to devote her life and talents to bring help and healing to the LGBTQ community; and to use whatever influence she could generate to bring change, education, and equality to whomever she could.

She is a former employee of Transgender Health Empowerment, a Washington, DC organization that advocates for transgender people through a range of health and social service. She also served as a counselor at the Wanda Alston house, a LBGTQ home for homeless youth where the full spectrum of the transgender community is represented. Jazmin has done extensive outreach on the streets with transgender women who are part of the street economy; she has also mentored both youth and adults. She is also a musical director at City of Refugee, a local affirming church. Jazmin has recently been featured in The Washington Blade, Metro Weekly, and Colorlines web magazine.
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM SENIORS

The National Senior Citizens Law Center, Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), are working together to raise awareness of the issues facing older adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ("LGBT") and live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other long-term care facilities. We hope to identify areas where policy changes will improve care, and to find other older adults, advocates and providers interested in these issues.  Read on for more info and a link to the survey


NCTE @ TransEquality.org

We have a new domain on the web: TransEquality.org, a much easier address to remember and to share. We'd appreciate your help in getting the word out by updating your links and bookmarks.  Remember though, our staff EMAIL ADDRESSES HAVE NOT CHANGED.

Also, check out NCTE's presence on Facebook and on Twitter @TransEquality and @MaraKeisling. Following us on Twitter is a great way to get up-to-the-minute updates on legislation and other critical issues as they take place. @MaraKeisling features Mara's insights from both personal and professional perspectives; @TransEquality is more focused on our official news and statements.

If you are looking for more in-depth and current info about what's happening around the country and on the federal level for transgender equality, take a look at our blog.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Don't forget to pass around the phone after you've passed around the cranberry sauce-call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and let Congress know why we need employment protections!

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.