a non-discrimination bill
Feb. 26th, 2006 10:00 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
quaere.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
transA shy first post; feel free to remove if it's not appropriate. xposted a bit.
Current word is that around 2/28 or 3/1, the Vermont House of Representatives will be voting on H.865, which would add gender identity and expression to the list of protected classes in various state statutes. This being Vermont and me being idealistic, I feel like there's a pretty reasonable chance that it will pass - but if there are any Vermonters in this group that didn't know about it, it can't help to send a few e-mails.
Here's the e-mail that I sent to my representatives. (I did not specifically mention the fact that I'm trans-questioning, because they know me from the context of a Girl Scout internship - not sure if I want to deal with the weirdness of that.)
[blah blah blah random stuff about Scouts, etc.]
For once, I’m not writing about Girl Scout business – rather, I wanted to say something about a bill that the House of Representatives will soon be voting on. H.865 is “An Act Relating to Non-Discrimination” that would add gender identity or expression to the list of protected classes in various State statutes. It recently passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and a vote is anticipated on February 28 or March 1.
H.865 is very important to me. As a member of [high school]’s Gay-Straight-Transgender Alliance, I’ve participated in a number of school activities to raise awareness about transgender individuals, and many of my close friends would be affected by this bill. There is a trend of increasing acceptance for transpeople, but there is still pervasive discrimination in the workplace and in social settings that makes it very difficult for them to safely be themselves.
Passing this bill will be an important statement about Vermont’s commitment to civil rights and equality. It will send a message to countless people (including the teens of [high school]’s GSTA) that in Vermont, people can be themselves without fear of discrimination or violence. For those reasons I urge you to vote in favor of H.865.
Thanks so much for considering my opinion, and for the work that you do. I look forward to seeing you at our town meeting!
Current word is that around 2/28 or 3/1, the Vermont House of Representatives will be voting on H.865, which would add gender identity and expression to the list of protected classes in various state statutes. This being Vermont and me being idealistic, I feel like there's a pretty reasonable chance that it will pass - but if there are any Vermonters in this group that didn't know about it, it can't help to send a few e-mails.
Here's the e-mail that I sent to my representatives. (I did not specifically mention the fact that I'm trans-questioning, because they know me from the context of a Girl Scout internship - not sure if I want to deal with the weirdness of that.)
[blah blah blah random stuff about Scouts, etc.]
For once, I’m not writing about Girl Scout business – rather, I wanted to say something about a bill that the House of Representatives will soon be voting on. H.865 is “An Act Relating to Non-Discrimination” that would add gender identity or expression to the list of protected classes in various State statutes. It recently passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and a vote is anticipated on February 28 or March 1.
H.865 is very important to me. As a member of [high school]’s Gay-Straight-Transgender Alliance, I’ve participated in a number of school activities to raise awareness about transgender individuals, and many of my close friends would be affected by this bill. There is a trend of increasing acceptance for transpeople, but there is still pervasive discrimination in the workplace and in social settings that makes it very difficult for them to safely be themselves.
Passing this bill will be an important statement about Vermont’s commitment to civil rights and equality. It will send a message to countless people (including the teens of [high school]’s GSTA) that in Vermont, people can be themselves without fear of discrimination or violence. For those reasons I urge you to vote in favor of H.865.
Thanks so much for considering my opinion, and for the work that you do. I look forward to seeing you at our town meeting!
