Sample Letter to Your Elected Representative

Please use this as a starting point, or for inspiration

Your individual expression carries the most weight.

Dear ________________________

I am writing to urge you to support House Bill #1722, An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes, introduced by Representatives Carl Sciortino and Byron Rushing. This proposed law would prohibit discrimination in employment, lending, housing, education, and public accommodations on the basis of a person's gender identity or expression.

I believe this bill is important because transgender people and others whose gender does not conform to rigid stereotypes are often harmed by harassment, discrimination, and violence. For example, transgender people are routinely fired by their employers either before or after transitioning from one sex to another; many others remain unemployed or underemployed as a result of discrimination, hostility and misunderstanding about transgender people. Widespread prejudices about how "real men" or "real women" should look or act often lead to harassment and unfair treatment in public accommodations, housing, and credit transactions. Transgender and non-transgender students are often bullied and even assaulted and lose educational opportunities when they don't conform to stereotypes of how boys and girls should look or act. This law would strengthen the ability of schools in our state to protect all students.

With the passage of this law, Massachusetts would send a clear message to all citizens of Massachusetts, especially employers, landlords, and providers of public accommodations, that all people are entitled to the full protection of the law, regardless of their gender identity or expression. By addressing critical areas where people experience harassment, discrimination, and violence, this law would increase the productivity and safety of employees, consumers, residents, and students.

Please help Massachusetts join the many communities, including the states of Rhode Island and Maine, which have already provided protection to their citizens' right to safely define and express their gender as they choose.

Sincerely,