Report-back from the 5th California Transgender Leadership Summit and 1st Transgender Advocacy Day
State Senator Mark Leno encouraged Summit participants to stay engaged in politics at the end of Sunday's Advocacy Day training.
Over 200 people attended the 5th Annual Transgender Leadership Summit. Participants were able to choose from 25 workshops and caucuses on Saturday. On Sunday attendees were trained in advocacy skills and advised in how to tell their stories to effectively communicate both with legislators at Monday's Advocacy Day and with other elected officials in their local communities.
TLC Community Advocate Alexis Rivera (right) and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Field Organizer Trystan Reese (left) led a workshop on recruiting volunteers and developing trans leaders.
At the 1st Transgender Advocacy Day, 65 participants visited 38 legislative offices--17 senators and 21 Assembly members. Attendees educated legislators and legislative aides about the continued challenges transgender people face in accessing quality and affordable healthcare and in obtaining employment, even with the strong non-discrimination laws that California has. Participants also urged the legislators to support the Minor Mental Health Consent Act and the Data Inclusion Act.
TLC Legal Director Kristina Wertz (right) and LA Gay and Lesbian Center staff Drian Juarez (left) rallied the crowd at the press conference that kicked off the 1st CA Transgender Advocacy Day. Check out some of the media coverage of the Summit and Advocacy Day: ABC-TV local channel 7 Capital Public Radio La Opinion |
Profile of a TLC Community Leader:
Dawn Dickinson
Dawn Dickinson has been a member in the Humboldt County Project HEALTH council since April 2009, when Transgender Law Center Legal Director Kristina Wertz and Lyon-Martin Health Services Project HEALTH administrator Kara Nostrand reached out to a local support group that Dawn attends last spring. After hearing about the work, Dawn expressed an interest in heading up the Humboldt Project HEALTH council and soon found herself jumping in with both feet. Much of her work so far has focused on recruiting more people to be part of the work. She said, "It's been a pleasurable experience, with a lot of people willing to help. The willingness of people to do the work and to contribute brings hope to me."
Dawn is excited to continue doing this work. She says,"We're going to do some good and help people get the most basic levels of care. I can see that coming."
Project Harnessing Education, Advocacy, & Leadership in Transgender Health (Project HEALTH) is a collaboration between the Transgender Law Center, Lyon-Martin Health Services, and Equality California that is working to ensure that transgender people across California have access to quality and culturally-sensitive health care close to home. Active Project HEALTH councils currently exist in Humboldt, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
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Do you want to support TLC, but don't have much time or money to spare?
Or do you just want an excuse to flirt with cuties at SF Pride?
Whatever your motivation is, we need volunteers to help with outreach efforts and to help TLC raise money by staffing a Saturday margarita booth at Civic Center Plaza.
To volunteer to staff the TLC
Pride Margarita Booth on Saturday, June 26th,
e-mail TLC Board Member Shay Aaron Gilmore at [email protected] with your name, phone number and email address. Please respond by June 11th. Thanks!
Interested in helping with outreach at SF Trans March, Dyke March, or Pride? Please email Paige or call 415.0176 x307 as soon as possible to get your first choice in shift time. Information about a sign-making party at TLC's new offices before SF Trans March will be coming soon. |
Keep up the pressure to pass ENDA!
We need YOU (and 10 of your closest friends) to bring the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to a vote.
1. Call your Federal Representative by dialing the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Just give them your zip code, and they'll transfer you to your Representative's office. Then say something like this:
Hello,
my name is _______. I live at (your street address) in (your city). I am calling to voice my strong support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people experience high levels of job discrimination, and need workplace protections now! Please do all you can to move a fully-inclusive ENDA to a vote in the House of Representatives. Thank you.
2. Call your Federal Senators! Again, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Just give them your zip code, and ask to be transferred to one of your Senator's offices. Then say:
Hello, my name is _______. I live at (your street address) in (your city). I am calling to voice my strong support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people experience high levels of job discrimination, and need workplace protections now! Please help ENDA move through the Senate, and educate other Senators about the importance of this bill. We need ENDA now! Thank you.
3. You're almost done for the day! Hang up, and call one more time. You know the drill now - call the switchboard at (202) 224-3121, give them your zip code, and ask to be transferred to your OTHER Senator's office. Then say:
Hello, my name is _______. I live at (your street address) in (your city). I am calling to voice my strong support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people experience high levels of job discrimination, and need workplace protections now! Please help ENDA move through the Senate, and educate other Senators about the importance of this bill. We need ENDA now! Thank you.
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