Equality Virginia Lobby Day, 2012

24 January 2012 by kathleen.

I am not strongly interested in politics, but every once in a while I get motivated to participate.  Today I visited my state senator and state delegate in Richmond, Virginia, as part of the annual Lobby Day sponsored by Equality Virginia. Gs, Ls, Bs, Ts, and their allies visit the state legislators and put faces and hands to the GLBT label once a year. I was one of three transwomen from my city that took part today.

It’s easy to dismiss us when we are nameless faces in a pride parade, or faceless names on email messages; it is a different story when a warm hand shakes yours and tells you that she used to be “he”. Yes, I said that. I reminded the state senator that I shook hands with him during his first senate campaign, and that when I did my name was John.  I was blunt, I know, but I hope I made the point that we Ts are everyday people you might meet on the street.

I don’t need to tell you, dear Reader, how important it is that all persons enjoy employment without discrimination on any basis.  Or that GLBT parents can give as much love to an adopted child as any other adoptive parent.   Even more important, we must not allow faith-based adoption agencies to use state money to discriminate against foster children that self-identify as gay, lesbian, or transgender.  These issues are on Equality Virginia’s radar this legislative session.

If your state has a GLBT rights organization, please support them at least once in a while.   Take some time to put your face and your handshake to the name of a GLBT person in your legislator’s constituency, and let your legislators know that you care about yourself and your neighbors.

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