News :: GLBT
Protection is a priority at Transgender Equality Lobby Day by Jesse Begenyi
Bay Windows contributorMonday Jan 25, 2010 When I began interning for the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), I had no idea how passionate I would become. I knew from the beginning that I liked getting paid in coffee, but I would have called you crazy if you had told me six months ago that I would later play a large part in planning and implementing "Transgender Equality Lobby Day" on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010.
This Lobby Day was a day dedicated to the continuous fight for legal protections for transgender and gender non-conforming people in the state of Massachusetts. Folks came out to talk to their legislators about the bill H1728/S1687, "An Act Relative To Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes." When this bill finally passes, it will add the categories of gender identity and gender expression to the states non-discrimination and hate crimes laws.
Now that Lobby Day is successfully behind us, I can say that this has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences. While spending time with my parents for the holidays, I missed being a trans activist. Upon my return to Boston I jumped into planning the event with full force.
I started out being personally responsible for coordinating all of the RSVP’s that came in. Each time I opened my e-mail inbox, I would sift through the new set of messages. Some folks asked for tips on how to lobby, others wanted to make sure they knew who their legislators were before arriving at the State House, and some reached out to say they had already made their appointments. While coordinating the community members who would be attending, I also organized the volunteers to help make the day run as smoothly as possible.
As Lobby Day grew closer I picked up more and more tasks (and started to drink more and more coffee.) On one particular day, I helped to write some of materials that were included in the packets we handed out to legislators. Two of the most exciting days for me were the days when our press releases went out. There I was, sitting at the intern desk in a tornado of notes and papers, calling community members and legislators offices to getting quotes.
"This bill needs to be a priority. I’ve seen people with master’s degrees turned down for entry-level retail jobs because they are visibly transgender," said Jesse Pack of AIDS Project Worcester. Jesse Pack was just one of the community members who spoke at Transgender Equality Lobby Day.
As Senator Ben Downing (D-Pittsfield) said, "Transgender Equality Lobby Day reminds advocates and legislators alike to refocus on this bill and the housing, employment, education, and credit protections it provides." I love this quote, for it truly shows the multitude of reasons this bill needs to become a priority.
One of the most inspiring quotes came from Boston City Councilor at Large Felix G. Arroyo, "I am proud to live in and represent a City that protects, by ordinance, gender identity. The Transgender Civil Rights Bill (H.1728/S1687) would add gender identity to our hate crimes and non-discrimination statutes in Massachusetts. I see this bill as a necessary complement to our existing law." This quote reminded me that fights like this one have been won before, and it’s just a mater of time until transgender equality will be a reality throughout Massachusetts.
The Tuesday and Wednesday before Lobby Day were by far the most stressful. We were in the office getting all the last minute pieces together and double-checking our work to make sure we hadn’t forgotten anything. By the time Thursday arrived though, we were able to breathe. I realized just how good a job we had done with the event organization when we found ourselves sitting around in the office playing 20 Questions just an hour before we had to set up.
When we got to Nurses Hall in the State House, my role changed. I was no longer in charge of the volunteers, or the folks who had RSVP-ed and were busy getting their materials at the check-in table. Once at the State House, I switched into photographer mode.
Having the chance to photograph these important events has been one of the most exciting parts of my work with MTPC. It allows me to bring something to the table and donate my skills in a creative way. Being behind the camera gives me a chance to meet so much of the community, and allows for personal connections to be created. A lot of people may not remember my name, but they recognize me as the photographer at MPTC events.
During the rally portion of the event, legislators and community members took turns at the microphone. The different voices complimented each other, and made a strong statement about the need for civil rights bills (like this one) to pass. The energy was high as the program came to a close, and trans folk and allies alike flooded from the State House.
The amount of positive support and activism within the transgender community is astounding to me. I have never before seen such a dedicated and diverse community coming together, time and time again to fight for something they truly believe in. After being surrounded by the transgender community here in Massachusetts I feel privileged to be able to call the community -- this community -- home.
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