How to Help
View All Current Anti-Trans Bills by State
- Visit The National Center for Transgender Equality
- Call and/or write Letters to the bill sponsors
- Find sample letters and scripts below.
- Encourage others to act
- Encourage your fellow Emersonians to get involved. We are 52,000+ strong; think of the impact we can have.
Scripts for Contacting Legislative Representatives & Government Officials
Phone Calls
State your name and address and identify yourself as the legislator’s constituent. You will often be speaking with a secretary or aide. Briefly make known your position as they keep track of the issues that people call about to report to the legislator. Have your thoughts organized in advance, which will help you to keep the call brief and to the point. It is also very helpful to share how the issue affects you personally. Thank them for their support.
Sample Phone Call Script
"Hello, my name is Bill, and I am your constituent from Tampa, Florida. I am calling to urge Governor Ron De Santis to veto HB1475/SB 2012, the Trans Youth Sports Ban. Transgender youth want the opportunity to play sports for the same reason other kids do: to be a part of a team where they feel like they belong. We shouldn't ban them from playing simply because they're transgender.
Most people don't know what it's like to be transgender or to be the parent of a transgender child, but we can all agree that Florida's transgender youth need love and support, not legislative attacks.
Thank you for your time and support."
Emails
The same guidelines apply to e-mail as to written letters. Before sending an e-mail, you might want to call the legislator’s office and ask if a letter sent by e-mail is effective. If you do send an e-mail, send it to the representative. Do not copy other representatives or send a mass e-mail. Make it a brief message with no special layouts or graphics. Do not include attachments. Include your full name and address so it is clear that you are a constituent, and ask for a response. You might also want to send a hard copy of your e-mail to the legislator.
Sample Email
Subject: Veto Anti-Trans Ban
Dear Governor DeSantis,
My name is Bill Emerson, and I am your constituent at 123 Elm Street in Tampa, Florida. I am writing to urge you to veto HB1475/SB 2012, the Trans Youth Sports Ban. I am writing to urge you to veto the anti-Trans sports ban.
This cruel, misguided legislation is deeply harmful to already at-risk transgender children. Transgender youth are some of the most bullied and marginalized in our school systems. They deserve our love and support, not cruel attacks because of who they are. Participating in sports can provide them, and all young people, important life lessons.
Please respond to let me know how you will move forward.
Thank you for your time and support.
Best,
Bill
Letters
Use the proper salutation, for example:
The Honorable (first name) (last name)
Address
City, State, Zip code
Dear (Assembly Member / Senator) (last name)
Be courteous and informative in your communication. State the purpose of the letter in the opening sentence and if you are referring to a bill, include the bill number, author and topic. If you live in the elected official’s district be sure to say this in the opening paragraph as well. Focus on the message and key points.Personalize the letter by including examples of how the legislation might impact you and your family. Keep the letter brief—not more than one page. Restate your request at the end of the letter, for example urging them to support or oppose the bill. Thank the legislator for the support and offer to address any questions. Be sure to include your contact information, and sign the letter.
Sample Letter
The Honorable Ron DeSantis
State of Florida
The Capitol 400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Dear Governor DeSantis,
I am writing to urge you to veto HB1475/SB 2012, the anti-Trans sports ban.
This cruel, misguided legislation is deeply harmful to already at-risk transgender children. Transgender youth are some of the most bullied and marginalized in our school systems. They deserve our love and support, not cruel attacks because of who they are. Participating in sports can provide them, and all young people, important life lessons.
Transgender youth want the opportunity to play sports for the same reason other kids do: to be a part of a team where they feel like they belong. We shouldn't ban them from playing simply because they're transgender.
This bill put the state's economy at risk right alongside the health and wellbeing of transgender kids. The NCAA, which regulates collegiate student athletics, has called the anti-trans bills" damaging to transgender athletes" and warned that legislation that violates the sporting agency's long-existing and inclusive sporting participation guidelines may jeopardize that state's ability to host NCAA events.
Most people don't know what it's like to be transgender or to be the parent of a transgender child, but we can all agree that Florida's transgender youth need love and support, not legislative attacks.
Again, I urge you to veto HB1475/SB 2012 the anti-Trans sports ban. Thank you for your time, and please reach out should you have any questions.
Best,
Bill
Trans Resistance March & Vigil
In 2020, the Human Rights Campaign tracked a record number of fatal incidents against transgender and gender non-conforming people. 2021 is tracking to be the same way. We know that this violence disproportionately impacts Black and Latinx transgender women.
On Saturday, June 12, 2021, members of the Emerson community will join together to march in the Trans Resistance March & Vigil at Franklin Park.
Trans Resistance was formed in June 2020 by Athena Vaughn, Chastity Bowick, and a collective of trans and queer activists in the Boston area who built upon years of contention with the Boston Pride board for being transexclusionary in their process, vision, and work and failing to equitably represent the magical TQBIPOC community in Boston.
If you are in the Boston area and would like to march with people from Emerson, please email alumni [at] emerson.edu (alumni[at]emerson[dot]edu).