Take Action
When you call or write make sure to mention that you are a Unitarian Universalist and why you believe that it is important to include the transgender community in civil rights legislation. Include how you feel about the lack of transgender inclusion in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Your message can be short or long. The best messages are those that come from the heart regardless of the length.
Here is an example:
As a Unitarian Universalist, I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. All people should be given basic civil rights regardless of their gender identity. By not including transgender people in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act a message was sent that some people are valued more than others. Not only is this damaging to the transgender community, but to the country as a whole as we attempt to move forward in embracing all people and being a world leader for civil rights. I hope that in the future you will uphold the importance of all people and provide transgender people with the same rights as others.
Email:
Check for congress members' email addresses and websites at U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives
Email campaigns are one important way to influence legislators; sending one takes very little time, and legislative offices gauge support for a piece of legislation by counting the number of constituent emails for and against it.
Visit:
Members of Congress have local offices; visit your Senator's or Representative's website for information on how to set up an appointment.
Guide to In-District Lobby Visits
Visiting is the most effective way to influence Members of Congress; a few strong lobby visits to an undecided Representative can make the difference between passing or not passing legislation. Even visiting an "unfriendly" office is an important act of advocacy, giving the Representative one less excuse to vote against the bill. Members of Congress have local offices; visit your Senators' or Representative's website for information on how to set up an appointment.
Call:
The Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Ask for your Member of Congress by name.
Fax:
Look up your member's fax number. Note: For security reasons, please consider faxing your letter if it concerns a time-sensitive matter.
Write a Letter:
The Honorable _________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable ____________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Tips on how to host a letter writing table about ENDA (PDF)
Tips on how to write to Members of Congress (PDF)
Writing letters in your own words is one of the most efficient and effective ways to influence members of Congress. Writing a letter and making a follow–up phone call only takes a few minutes of your time, but it ensures that your representatives know how you want to be represented. A staff person reads every letter and many are also read by the Representative or Senator. Since congressional offices receive only a handful of letters on most issues, each letter carries real power. Identifying yourself as a person of faith makes your letters even more compelling!
Issue Briefs:
Become well versed on ENDA and educate others with these issue briefs.
One page issue brief (PDF)
Detailed issue brief (PDF)
For more information contact la_bglt @ uua.org.
Last updated on Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
