We sent this message to our Facebook Group today:
Dear ICTE Supporters –
Good morning!
We have an updated action alert from MassEquality (http://www.massequality.org/) about the Massachusetts transgender civil rights bill.
Also, yesterday’s (Sunday) Boston Globe had an article about the bill:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/04/25/backers_rally_around_transgender_bill/?page=1
Please take direct action, and share both of these texts, TODAY!
“The Time to Act is Now - This is About Equal Rights for Transgender People
Last week the Transgender Rights Bill was refiled as Budget Amendment #764, as such it would go to the legislature for a yes or no vote. Until now it has been stuck in the Judiciary Committee. In the past couple of days opponents and especially the Massachusetts Family Institute have been inundating representatives in virulent opposition to the bill. We need to directly and overwhelmingly show our support for this critical anti-discrimination legislation NOW.
There are two things to be done TODAY to help get the Transgender Rights Bill passed before the legislative session ends.
1) Phone Banking (calling constituents to ask them to contact their representatives) –
• You can make arrangements to make important calls from your home by contacting Ryan Brown at MassEquality 617. 878.2309.
• You can phone bank at MassEquality’s office (snacks and drinks will be provided).
MassEquality
262 Washington St, 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 878-2300
2) Make Calls to Your Representative (for the 1st time or yet again) --
Call your Representative and ask for their support for Budget Amendment #764 - the passage of the transgender civil rights bill. Your representative needs to hear from you, your family, and your friends. The Trans Bill has been attached to the House Budget.
To find your Representative go to http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php. If you know who your Rep is, go to http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenuh to get his or her phone number.
Calling script:
“My name is _____ and I am a proud resident of (your town/city) and I am calling to ask Representative_____ to support Budget Amendment # 764 -- Transgender Rights. Will the Representative support this Budget Amendment for Transgender Rights?
I can be reached at ____ (give your phone number) for a call back on this important amendment.”
Please report the outcome of these calls to MTPC, either via our web form http://www.masstpc.org/legislation/visitreport.shtml or by emailing info@masstpc.org.
Help us stand up against the fear-based tactics used in the last week. Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker made his position clear this past Saturday about how he would respond if HB1728/S1687, An Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes, landed on his desk (if he was elected). On a flyer distributed by his campaign were the words: “ Charlie Baker Opposes the ‘Bathroom Bill’ And If It Came to His Desk, He Would Veto It. Paid For By the Baker Committee.”
Mr. Baker’s open hostility to the protection of transgender residents’ civil, economic, and social rights in Massachusetts demonstrates the immediate need for HB1728/S1687 to be passed by the end of this session of the legislature.
Tuesday, the Boston Globe threw its support to HB1728/S1687, calling upon legislators to “pass a sensible bill that would protect transgender men and women from discrimination.” The Globe recognized that this is neither a partisan issue nor an issue about public safety in the restrooms, but rather a civil and human rights matter for a marginalized group of residents in the State. The time to act is now.
HB1728/S1687 has 104 legislative co-sponsors and the endorsement of many public officials including the Governor, Attorney General, and numerous mayors and selectmen.
It is critical that we act collectively as a community now, because our opponents are organizing and hounding Beacon Hill to “kill the bill.” We cannot afford to remain silent. We urge everyone who is passionate about protecting transgender people in the Commonwealth to call your legislators today and ask them to support Budget Amendment # 764.”
Thank you for working with us to show how much people of faith support transgender equality!
Best wishes,
Mycroft Masada Holmes
Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge
Co-Chairs, Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality (ICTE)
http://www.InterfaithCoalition.org
http://www.interfaithcoalition.blogspot.com
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