MISSION
We all deserve access to healthcare and the opportunity to follow our dreams, but the transgender community is under attack by politicians trying to pass hateful laws. Let’s work to stop these laws by calling lawmakers and telling them to end these attacks on the community.
LINE-UP
March 24-25: Arkansas
March 26-28: South Dakota
March 29-31: Alabama
**Updated 3/25 to reflect the fact that Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson already signed one anti-trans bill into law on the evening of 3/25**
SOCIAL COPY
March 24
Visibility is great, but it has also made the transgender community (especially trans women and girls) targets of hate and discrimination - from physical violence to the sweeping policy proposals that seek to stop people from being trans. In 2021, there have been 100+ pieces of legislation introduced in states across the U.S. targeting trans youth. Most of these bills attempt to criminalize gender-affirming health care and bar transgender women and girls from sports.
For Transgender Week of Visibility and Action, let’s commit to elevating trans and nonbinary voices and taking action to stop the passage of these dangerous bills. Today through Friday, let’s focus on Arkansas.
Let’s call and email Gov. Hutchinson asking him to veto HB 1570 and SB 354 once they reach his desk. More info via #linkinbio. #ProtectTransYouth #LetKidsPlay #DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction #TDOV
March 25
It’s Day 2 of #TransWeekOfAction, and we’re still fighting against the two bills in Arkansas. ICYMI, here’s the breakdown.
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HB 1570: If signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, would ban trans health care for youth and ban insurance coverage of care for all trans people.
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SB 354: If passed would ban gender-affirming health care for trans youth and could limit insurance coverage for all trans folks including adults. It will be heard in the Senate on Monday, 3/29. Last week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said that he is "supportive of the objective of the bill but will continue to review the specific language before announcing his position."
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Take 20 minutes today and call and email Gov. Hutchinson asking him to veto that bill once they reach his desk. More info via #linkinbio. #ProtectTransYouth #LetKidsPlay #DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction #TDOV
March 26
It’s Day 3 of #TransWeekofAction, we’re switching gears to focus on South Dakota. Here is the bill that would restrict the rights of trans folks in the state.
Under both versions of HB1217 currently under consideration, the bill would target women and girls who are transgender and bar them from athletics. It also would open the door to scrutiny of all women and girl athletes and potentially force all young people to turn over private genetic and medical information as a condition to playing sports.
Let’s call Gov. Kristi Noem-R and ask her to stop the passage of HB 1217 and protect trans youth from discrimination. More info via #linkinbio. #ProtectTransYouth #LetKidsPlay #DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction #TDOV
March 27
On Day 4 of #TransWeekofAction, remember that your voice matters in the fight to #DefendTransRights! Let’s make Gov. Kristi Noem-R sick of hearing from us. Call and email her today to stop the passage of HB 1217 and protect trans youth from discrimination. More info via #linkinbio. #ProtectTransYouth #LetKidsPlay #DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction #TDOV
March 28
For Day 5 of #TransWeekofAction, we’re staying put in South Dakota because trans youth still need our help. Take a few minutes today and call Gov. Kristi Noem-R and ask her to stop the passage of HB 1217 and protect trans youth from discrimination. More info via #linkinbio. #ProtectTransYouth #LetKidsPlay #DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction #TDOV
March 29
On Day 6 of #TransWeekofAction, we’re entering the final stretch of digital activation to #DefendTransRights. Our last state is Alabama. Alabama is in the process of moving the most aggressive and restrictive anti-trans laws in history.
HB1/SB10: If passed, would make it a felony to provide gender-affirming care or referrals for care to any trans person under age 19.
HB 391: If passed, would ban trans women and girls from sports and police the bodies of all athletes in women’s sports.
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More info via #linkinbio. #ProtectTransYouth #LetKidsPlay #DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction #TDOV
March 30
There are two more days left to join #TransWeekofAction. Contact Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and ask her to veto HB1/SB10 and HB 391. More info via #linkinbio. #ProtectTransYouth #LetKidsPlay #DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction #TDOV
March 31
It’s officially #TransDayOfVisibility and the last day of #TransWeekofAction. As we celebrate trans and nonbinary brilliance today, let’s get those last calls and emails out to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. Tell her to veto HB1/SB10 and HB 391, if they reach her desk. More info. via #linkinbio. #ProtectTransYouth #LetKidsPlay #DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction #TDOV
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IG Graphics: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-qns_kkL0zfNOB5fxtrk719S3RtuHFw5
Twitter Graphics: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BWZ9crXvTAqejYK39IDRiJLZMHAsJIIe?usp=sharing
In addition to these graphics, you can share the following action alerts:
Arkansas: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ar-trans-rights
South Dakota: https://www.aclusd.org/en/end-hb1217-now
Alabama: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/al-trans-belong-2021
Other articles/resources to share on social media:
General Resource Page on youth in sports: https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbt-rights/the-coordinated-attack-on-trans-student-athletes/
Debunking Myths about trans youth in sports:
https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbt-rights/four-myths-about-trans-athletes-debunked/
Statement from Women’s Sports Foundation defending trans athletes:
To tag the Governors on social media:
Arkansas: @asahutchinson on Twitter and @govasahutchinson on IG
South Dakota: @govkrisinoem on Twitter and IG
Alabama: @GovernorKayIvey on Twitter and IG
On Friday, March 26, you can also join in on the special Alabama action alert - details here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CqgCVuvBHM7QS4SYJbEI2C-3hkU3gZXl_1d4k0rwPYY/edit
Sample Tweets:
Arkansas:
Trans youth deserve to live authentically, access the health care they need and participate in sports. HB1570 would take away these rights in Arkansas. @AsaHutchinson, please veto this bill and #DefendTransRights. #TransWeekofAction
South Dakota:
Trans women and girls deserve to play sports like all women and girls. @GovKristiNoem, veto HB1217. #DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction https://www.aclusd.org/en/end-hb1217-now
Alabama:
HB1/SB10 would make life-saving health care for trans youth a felony. The bill raises the age of consent to 19 for trans youth only. It is unnecessary, dangerous, and will cause sweeping and serious harm. Veto HB1/SB10 if they reach your desk @GovernorKayIvey #DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction
I believe trans people should have the freedom to choose the medical treatments that are right for them, just like everyone else. Vote NO on HB1 & SB10. and veto the bills if they reach you @GovernorKayIvey. #ProtectTransKids #DefendTransRights
HB391 is another attack on trans girls in sports and puts all young athletes at risk of bullying, harassment, and privacy intrusions. @GovernorKayIvey, stop HB391.#DefendTransRights #TransWeekofAction
SCRIPT FOR E-Mails/CALLS - You can use any language from the scripts below. If you have a personal connection to the state or the issue, you should add that in.
For Email:
South Dakota
Dear Governor Noem:
The style and form revisions to House Bill 1217 do not change the fact that HB 1217 is harmful to transgender South Dakotans and a violation of their constitutional rights and federal civil rights law. No matter what form this legislation takes, House Bill 1217 will do nothing to protect women in sports and will cause serious social and emotional damage to trans people.
Please stop this bill and veto any version of it that is returned to you.
[Add any personal details]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Arkansas
Dear Governor Hutchinson:
Please VETO HB 1570. This bill is dangerous, out of step with science and medicine and will hurt trans people across Arkansas.
I oppose HB1570 because this bill cruelly targets transgender youth in Arkansas who are just trying to live their lives and access the care recommended by their doctors and supported by their parents.
I oppose HB 1570, which interferes with trans youth and their families from being able to seek and access the healthcare they need. Parents, patients, and medical professionals – not politicians – should decide what medical care is in the best interest of any young person. Transgender young people thrive when they are supported by their family, school, and community; however, these bills would take away their personal treatment options, undermining the prevailing recommendations of every major medical association.
This bill will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in lost tourism and business revenue.
And most significantly, I am worried for my trans loved ones should this bill become law. You have already signed an anti-trans bill into law and signing this too will be catastrophic.
Please stop this bill and veto any version of these bills that reach your desk.
[Add any personal details]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Alabama
Dear Governor Ivey:
I am writing because I oppose HB1/SB10 and HB391. These bills needlessly and cruelly target transgender youth in Alabama who are just trying to live their lives and access the care recommended by their doctors and supported by their parents. Trans youth just want to go to school and play sports alongside their friends.
I oppose HB1 and SB10, which interfere with trans youth and their families from being able to seek and access the healthcare they need. Parents, patients, and medical professionals – not politicians – should decide what medical care is in the best interest of any young person. Transgender young people thrive when they are supported by their family, school, and community; however, these bills would take away their personal treatment options, undermining the prevailing recommendations of every major medical association.
I oppose HB391 because it needlessly targets trans women and girls in sports when lawmakers cannot even point to a single trans woman currently competing in Alabama. It sends a harmful to trans youth that they don’t belong and will invite costly litigation from private parties and the federal government.
All of these bills will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in lost tourism and business revenue.
And most significantly, I am worried for my trans loved ones should these bills become law.
Please stop this bill and veto any version of these bills that reach your desk.
[Add any personal details]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
For Calls: Adapt the e-mail to a voicemail or in some cases be prepared to speak to a real person. If someone picks up the phone, say:
-Hello, my name is...
-Tell where you are calling from and that you are calling to urge the Governor to veto [relevant legislation, i.e., HB1]
-Explain that you care about trans people and are worried that the bill will harm vulnerable youth and is addressing a problem that does not exist.
-Explain that the bill will be costly because it will be challenged in court and could invite litigation from the federal government as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in lost business.
-Thank you and end the call.