Wed. 10/24: The GOP would like y’all to use the restroom that matches your birth certificate…Sure. No problem.

This is a photo of Jake Miller, better known by his stage name Buck Angel. He is an transgender American adult film producer and amazing motivational speaker. Because he started out life as a baby named “Susan“, proposed federal regulations might soon force him to use women’s restrooms and suffer various other indignities. All because the GOP, the party of “smaller, less intrusive government”,  just released this inhumane and unscientific pronouncement…

“The sex listed on a person’s birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a person’s sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence.”
– Department of Health and Human Services memo, according to the New York Times.

Not only does this effectively erase the existence of the 1.4 MILLION transgender American citizens, who, often from early childhood, have struggled with being born into the “wrong” body,  but it’s going to make the lives of the 1-in-1500 babies born with intersex conditions much more complicated too. Twenty-first century, people!

Action #1 – Remind your legislators that we want the Equality Act (S. 1006/H.R. 2282) passed as soon as they get back. 

 Script to support good legislators: I’m calling to thank Senator/Rep. [___] for supporting (Sen. S.1006,/Rep H.R. 2282) The Equality Act and to commit to passing this as soon as he/she/they return. We’re running out of time to protect this vulnerable group of citizens..

Script for legislators who haven’t signed on: I’m calling Senator [___] to ask that he/she/they support(Sen. S.1006,/Rep H.R. 2282) The Equality Act. It’s time to extend the protection of our Civil Rights Act to this vulnerable group of citizens.

Check here if your senator is a supporter.
Chek here if your representative is a supporter.

We get to THANK all our representatives!
Rep. Julia Brownley: email (CA-26): DC (202) 225-5811, Oxnard (805) 379-1779, T.O. (805) 379-1779
or Rep. Salud Carbajal: email (CA-24): DC (202) 225-3601, SB (805) 730-1710 SLO (805) 546-8348
Senator Feinstein: email DC (202) 224-3841, LA (310) 914-7300, SF (415) 393-0707, SD (619) 231-9712, Fresno (559) 485-7430
and Senator Harris: email DC (202) 224-3553, LA (213) 894-5000, SAC (916) 448-2787, Fresno (559) 497-5109, SF (415) 355-9041, SD (619) 239-3884
Other Contacts: https://hq-salsa.wiredforchange.com

Sexual orientation and gender identity would become protected classes, along with race, color, religion, sex, disability status and national origin for education, employment, housing, credit, and federal jury service and funding. “Public Accommodations” would expand to include entities that offers goods, services, or programs, including restrooms.

Action #2 – Help stop the spread of GOP psuedo-science.

To help stop the spread of pseudo-science, and to stand up for transgender, intersex, and non-binary individuals,  please share these articles on your social media.

• Scientists see a problem with Trump plan on defining sex: biology (StatNews)
• Against a Federal Registry of Genitals (Atlantic)
• What is intersex? (ISNA)

Action #3 – Sign these petitions

“If this administration is hoping to demoralize us, they will be disappointed. If they are hoping we will give up, they should reconsider the power of our persistence and our fury.”
– Mara Keisling of the National Center for Transgender Equality wrote

• Credo to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar
• ACLU to Congress

Action #4 – Positive things to help our transgender, non-binary and gender-nonconforming citizens.

(From Allure)

• Financial Support
  • Sylvia Rivera Law Project (here)
  • The Anti-Violence Project (here)
  • Trans Lifeline (here)
• Show up IRL to oppose the Memo
  • in the works. Stay tuned.
• Vote on Nov. 6th for supportive candidates
• “Signal-Boost” helpful resources.
  • GLAAD has created a  list of resources for transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming people in crisis. It’s linked here, and here are some other important numbers to keep on hand:
    • The National Suicide Prevention Line at 800-273-TALK (8255)
    • The Trevor Project at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)
    • Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860.

• Volunteer with great organizations
  • The Trevor Project here
  • Volunteer Match here
  • More for other locations here.
• Learn to be a Better Ally
  • List for Allies
  • Gender inclusive terminology here.

(From Teaching Tolerance)

• Federal Agensices want to erase Trans Identities (here)
• Trans Rights and Bathroom Access Laws: A History Explained. (here)
• Sex? Sexual Orientation? Gender Identity? Gender Expression? (here)

Readings from Credo

1. Erica L. Green et al., “‘Transgender’ Could Be Defined Out of Existence Under Trump Administration,” The New York Times, Oct. 21, 2018.
2. Ibid.
3. Lambda Legal, “Professional Organization Statements Supporting Transgender People in Health Care,” Sept. 18, 2018.
4. Green et al., “‘Transgender’ Could Be Defined Out of Existence Under Trump Administration.”
5. Ibid.
6. German Lopez, “Trump promised to be LGBTQ-friendly. His first year in office proved it was a giant con.” Vox, Jan. 22, 2018.
7. Ibid.
8. Movement Advancement Project, “Transgender Americans Face Staggering Rates Of Poverty, Violence,” Feb. 18, 2015.
9. Mara Keisling, “In Response To The New York Times’ October 21 Story “Trump Administration Eyes Defining Transgender Out of Existence,” National Center for Transgender Equality, Oct. 21, 2018.