Ask California Gov. Jerry Brown to Help Transgender Young People
July 8, 2013
Dear ,
When Logan tried to take P.E. during his freshman year, he was sent to the nurse's office to change because he is transgender. This isolated him from other students, exposing him to constant stigma and harassment, and made him feel terrible about himself. It also made him 15 minutes late to classes each day. Eventually, he just gave up on gym altogether.
Across California, transgender students like Logan—an 18-year-old from Santa Monica—are prevented from fully participating in school activities, programs, and facilities simply because of who they are.
But you can help.
The School Success and Opportunity Act—Assembly Bill 1266—is on its way to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for consideration after the Senate approved it last week (the Assembly approved it in June). We need your help to make sure he signs this crucial civil rights bill, which would strengthen California's existing non-discrimination laws and ensure that transgender students have the opportunity to succeed in school.
Opponents of LGBT equality are spreading messages of fear, making these young people the scapegoat for their outdated prejudices, and ignoring the success of similar school policies throughout the state and the nation. Similar policies have already been implemented at hundreds of California schools, and it is time to make sure that all schools treat transgender students fairly. No one should ever be treated differently because of who they are, and you can help make a difference.
Please join NCLR and other bill co-sponsors—Equality California, Transgender Law Center, GSA Network, and Gender Spectrum—in demanding that transgender young people in our community have a chance to succeed.
Governor Brown needs to hear from you, and hear that you want him to sign this bill into law. Please tweet @JerryBrownGov directly at www.TinyUrl.com/TweetCAGov asking him to sign #AB1266, call his office at 916.445.2841 or send him a "pro" email using the sample emal below.
Together, we can truly make a difference for many young lives.
In solidarity,
Kate Kendell, Esq.
NCLR Executive Director
Sample Email
Dear Governor Brown,
I am writing to urge you to once again stand up for LGBT
equality by signing the School Success and Opportunity Act, a
civil rights bill authored by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, into
law. California law prohibits discrimination against students
based on their gender identity. Unfortunately, many school
districts still discriminate against transgender students from
school programs and facilities.
Assembly Bill 1266 will ensure that school administrators, teachers, parents and students understand that schools must treat transgender students just like any other students. Transgender youth deserve a safe, non-discriminatory school environment that encourages them to learn and participate fully, just like everyone else.
Policies consistent with civil rights legislation have been successfully implemented in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other districts throughout California and the nation. While the opposition seeks to keep the discussion in a place of fear and ignorance, the real experience shows those fears to be baseless. In fact, ending the exclusion of transgender students from activities, programs and facilities has led to increased acceptance and success for all students.
Please sign the School Success and Opportunity Act, and help make California schools a foundation from which all students can succeed.
Thank you for your leadership in advancing equality.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
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Contact the Governor and Urge Him to Help Transgender Students Succeed in School
Tweet: Tweet @JerryBrownGov using the #AB1266 hashtag and urge him to sign the bill.
Call: Please, pick up the phone and call the Governor’s office right now. Follow the prompts to support AB 1266. 1. Dial 916.445.2841 2. Press 1 to continue in English. 3. Press 6 to speak with a representative of Governor Jerry Brown's office. 4. Voice your support for AB 1266, the bill ensuring that transgender students have the opportunity to succeed in school.
Email: Email the governor using the sample text at the bottom of this email. On his contact page, click on “AB01266” in the dropdown menu, and follow directions to send your “pro” email in support of the bill.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.
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