Transgender Equality Lobby Day - THIS THURSDAY!!

The email we sent today:

Dear Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality (ICTE) Supporters,

We hope this finds you well as you begin 2010. Please remember to vote today, and to encourage others to do so. We are currently drafting ICTE’s next e-newsletter.

Today, we are writing to update you on the status of the Massachusetts transgender civil rights bill, and to let you know that we need your help to pass it!

An Act Relative To Gender-Based Discrimination & Hate Crimes’ (House Bill 1728 / Senate Bill 1687) is having a Transgender Equality Lobby Day THIS THURSDAY, JANUARY 21st!

Transgender Equality Lobby Day

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Nurses Hall

Massachusetts State House

Beacon St. - Boston

(MBTA - Park St. / Downtown Crossing)

That’s the day after tomorrow, and everyone's help is needed. Here are three ways you can take action:

1) ATTEND – We need as many visible supporters as possible present for Lobby Day.

We had 300 supporters at the Transgender Equality Lobby Day last April – let’s double that number! Please RSVP to the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC): http://www.masstpc.org/legislation/lobby-form.shtml. They are organizing the Day, and providing volunteers, lobbying packets, and other materials – including cookies.

If you are a clergyperson or other faith leader who can come vested, or a layperson who can wear symbols of your faith, please do so. We will provide ICTE stickers and our member Keshet (http://keshetonline.org/) will provide Jewish ones.

2) INVITE OTHERS – Use the event’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=202912131913&ref=ts

You can also forward and edit this message, within Facebook or outside through email.

3) MEET WITH YOUR LEGISLATOR -- Call now and make an appointment to meet with your State Represenative and Senator on Lobby Day. All the necessary materials and lobbying training will be provided at the Statehouse.

__ Calling Script __:

Receptionist: Hello, (name of committee OR name of Senator’s office).

You: Hello, can I please speak to Representative/Senator X’s scheduler please?

Receptionist: One moment please. (They will transfer your call to a legislative aide.)

Legislative aide: Hello, Representative/Senator X’s office.

You: Hello, my name is (your name) and I am a constituent of Representative/Senator X.

I am calling because I will be in Boston on January 21st, attending the Transgender Equality Lobby Day between 2:00 pm and 5:00 p.m., and I would like to schedule an appointment with Representative/Senator X -- to discuss their support of “An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes.” (Also known as HB 1728 / SB 1687 or the Transgender Equality Bill.)

The Legislative aide will tell you if your Representative/Senator will be available to meet, or they may offer you to speak with one of his/her staffers.

Legislative aide: Yes, Representative/Senator X and/or legislative staffer Y would be available to meet with you at (time).

You: That’s great! I really appreciate Representative/Senator X taking time out of his/her busy schedule to meet with me.

-------

Please contact the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) at info@masstpc.org or 617.778.0519 for more information or assistance, or if you have any trouble scheduling a meeting with your legislators or their staff. You can also visit their Lobby Day page:

http://www.masstpc.org/legislation/lobbyday10.shtml

We need to pass this vital legislation as soon as possible – and to do that, we need everyone to take action to make Lobby Day successful.

Thank you for helping us show how much people of faith support transgender equality!

Sincerely,

Mycroft Masada Holmes

Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge

Co-Chairs, Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality (ICTE)

http://www.InterfaithCoalition.org

http://www.interfaithcoalition.blogspot.com