ENDA Contingent to Rep. Walden's Medford Office
Leslie Stone, 28.11.2009 16:54
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), is a proposed bill in the United States Congress that would prohibit discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity for civilian nonreligious employers with over 15 employees.
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Hi everyone,
Thank you all again for a successful lobby visit to Rep Walden's Medford office on Monday Nov 16. The meeting went as planned: we made ENDA personal, not abstract. Thanks Nick for the great photo, attached here for everyone.--Leslie Stone
(click on photo to make it larger)
L to R: Janelle, Rev. Margaret, Jim, Nick, Leslie, Rosemary, Ivend and Patrick
Since June of 2007 I've been working with various groups on ENDA:
1.) Washington DC based group Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest, strongest political group that works on a Federal level for LGBT rights. You may have noticed in the "cc" section of emails that I've included CM Hall who works from Portland OR with HRC Washington.
2.) Washington DC Based National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) works on federal level for LGBT rights ( Emails cc'd to Jaan Williams)
3.) Portland Oregon based Basic Rights Oregon (BRO) the largest grassroots organ in this state dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. (emails cc'd to Thomas Wheatley)
Here's the recap of our meeting. It was the fourth time I orchestrated a lobby visit with Walden's District Deputy, John Snider. FIrst sit down was in August 2007. The video conference with Lauren Flynn was a new twist on this particular visit and in fact, John Snider suggested the idea.
Everyone showed up! It was a great meeting ...35 minutes with Lauren Flynn, Rep. Walden's legislative aide in DC and John Snider, in Medford. Video set up was flawless.
We did what we set out to do: We totally put faces and personal stories to the issues gender identity and trans inclusion and gender expression:
- Reverend Margaret Keip from Grants Pass spoke about trans congregants;
- Nick Whipple, FTM (a Republican no less, John Snider knows his Grandfather) spoke about his work experiences before OR's equality law and compared that to his life since its enactment , and his concerns for when/if he leaves the state;
- Patrick/Tricia MTF in process told their story and work concerns, how he is delaying transition from Patrick to Tricia until the end of the spring term and what it's like to be him and her;
- Rosemary Dunn Dalton, LCSW Social Worker, and Southern Oregon University (SOU) adjunct psychology faculty talked about parents contacting her for guidance on young children transitioning;
- SOU's Queer Resource Director , Janelle Wilson, shared stories about gender non conforming students and the fears they face when returning to their home states. I recommended that Walden join with the other Oregon Congressman and Senators who are all sponsors of the bill; and show the rest of the states how our Oregon Equality Law is working at ending discrimination in the workplace and more.
Although we emphasized how the majority of Oregonians are behind this bill, Lauren Flynn claimed that Walden has received lots of calls against ENDA. I reiterated that the majority of Oregonians support this important legislation, "Just look at the fact that Oregon, in 2008, enacted the Oregon Equality Act which does, on a state level, even more than what ENDA will do at the Federal level". I read letter from Reverend Pam Shepherd about her trans nephew attending a small Catholic college (attached) and John Snider asked for and received a copy for his record. Jim Frank, a veteran, proudly wore his flag and emphasized the importance of full equality and civil rights for everyone, including him and his "husband" David.
- And Ivend Holen, board member of Oregon Action and married to Kathy for 46 years stated " I'm here representing straight people in this district who believe it's wrong to discriminate against people because of their sexuality or gender preference."
Both John and Lauren took notes and promised to pass our stories on to Walden. Before we left, John Snider took a photo of all 8 of us (Nick Whipple, the Republican amongst us, thought to bring a camera) and we plan to send it to Walden to put up on the wall in the conference room along side photos of his other constituents.
All in all I thought it was a great success, and believe we clearly met our goals of articulating personal stories about the importance of enacting a fully inclusive ENDA without further delay,... now!
CM, Jaan and Thomas: thanks for the support and encouragement from all of you. It's empowering having your energy and spirit with us at these visits. All the participants have given permission for your use of the photo and the recap on the HRC website/ Back Story specifically, and any other way you see fit.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Best,
Leslie Stone
