Dear MLGBA Members,

As you know, thanks to the work of MLGBA Board members and members of the Committee on Transgender Inclusion, the MBA has unanimously voted to support House Bill 1722, "An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes."  We would now like to request MLGBA Members' assistance in asking other potential supporters of this legislation to write in support of the bill. 

When public hearings begin, it is important that the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition be able to present letters of support to legislators.  In particular, having employers write letters of support is vital to passing the bill.  To this end, the Committee on Transgender Inclusion is now reaching out to individuals, businesses and organizations that might have a stake in this legislation. We need your help in doing this outreach.

In addition to employers, other important entities from whom we need letters in support of HB 1722 include public school administrators and teachers, landlords, labor organizations, and others with a stake in non-discrimination laws.

We would greatly appreciate it if, where you deem practical, you could reach out to individuals and entities such as your own employer, your clients, businesses that you patronize, your friends who are business owners, and any other stakeholders whom you feel comfortable contacting, and ask them to submit a letter of support for HB 1722.  Such a letter would be submitted to the Committee on Transgender Inclusion and held for presentation during public hearings.

Attached are information about the bill and a sample letter that can be used in conducting this outreach.  The letter can be modified by each organization as it sees fit; an organization might want to say, for example, something about their mission, their current workplace policies if they are already transgender-inclusive, or their support for current transgender employees.  If you prefer, you may collect letters directly from your contacts and pass them on to me, rather than asking your contacts to send the letters to the address provided on the sample letter.

The Committee on Transgender Inclusion thanks you for your assistance in this regard.  Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, or if you would like additional materials for utilization in your outreach.

Best,

Laura K. Langley

(LKLangley@gmail.com)