[Jewish] [MASS. ACTION ALERT - Trans Equality Bill]

Wed Feb 27 13:42:46 EST 2008

Though this comes from Keshet, the Jewish LGBTQ organization, it is 
important for everyone.  Please read it, sign the online petition and 
pass it on to anyone you can asap.

Steve

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	MASSACHUSETTS ACTION ALERT - Trans Equality Bill
Date: 	Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:04:29 -0500 (EST)
From: 	Idit Klein [Keshet] <idit at keshetonline.org>
Reply-To: 	idit at keshetonline.org
To: 	snathan at hampshire.edu

Keshet Logo

*

Take Action NOW *
to support transgender equality

*Transgender people in Massachusetts face
harassment and discrimination every day --
but there are no laws to protect them.

/On March 4th, WE are going to change this!
/

*
The hearing before the Judiciary Committee for House Bill 1722: An Act 
Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes will take place 
Tuesday, March 4th at the Massachusetts State House. Learn more 
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001nAfKF-MyBgZC4Cu7PeOiqPJbtAK8stKspNSAFkos_AoNCACFsw-k42oxzPnkDx-u6Csr9lMWTZcKO9elEIx3H-Fvq290txhSB6nupLFsLm8J1L7ay4LPSwGyJCggEtQr> 
about this bill.

*ACT NOW! Write, call, or visit your legislator.
*

*WRITE A LETTER:*
Join Keshet for our letter-writing party this Thursday!
February 28, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Keshet Office: 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain
RSVP to Orly <mailto:orly at keshetonline.org> at 617.524.9227 by Thursday, 
February 28th.
Co-sponsored by Workmen's Circle 
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001nAfKF-MyBgbB-1VlYGsgjRv3gNy6BA5MAQnFhCbghA84BADIEEY7JaKMVDVC1_r0W6IPjXRZrGUONH4VlhJhHyDR_3lD2Dj9pToEIXtaDGwk4jviqcXZqM_xqPsCgRn4> 
and Kavod House 
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001nAfKF-MyBgZX6gbf5_DJuGrjbHaEE0uwaGrT8IMGfuHrXYUAcaNUIxPtiUQS5ra_UzCaOTZX2sQ9Ds7mWdA9HljPZuvOLz3HOuVXir5XnDbJSzA--jCsZ1Yq1s15FVXQ>. 

*CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR:**
Click here 
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001nAfKF-MyBgYCtigO_Sun3Q9CNY_tmeacFISPRuQffK3zs9ECIbAp5HoC96BMx1KHWcN4m67n-sQqdkSFtUJKTYyP_OSo7rs2P_qIsNprCj7eTGt1luHLwnMHLj7Erzq-qFoNc9xfHNqwUDPPnAPGXfSDW5OcLIEW> 
to find the phone # of your Representatives. (You want to contact your 
"Senate in General Court" and "Rep in General Court.")
*

SEND YOUR LEGISLATOR AN EMAIL:
Click here 
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001nAfKF-MyBgYmfFdwgKmNGDh9tBKCRAhBXNKIpAR390LW19eVbcqBJC7NVcoQ0k0Tb0U0fvb_iFRlboR-yb6OmNRkt93cFrmiydALrHaXDaqnAd2pSt7gzPfcDGYb7peDY65EZQCy3tojugFw_ENBBA==> 
to use MassEquality's Take Action page to send your legislators an email.

ADD YOUR NAME!
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001nAfKF-MyBgaCH6e3rB1olBls0pd5Cy6NkDsZHOc8sfmawbTqjMEfLRFc7RzSEHG-1upNrNN4VOzcI5Y6kvMQ5y4Dm4bkraN6_dFTVHubmMrmEYpe9--wvu0NUidF0yHG>Join 
clergy and people of faith across the state and add your name to the 
Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality Letter of Support for HB 
1722 
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001nAfKF-MyBgYqwWjr4b1oT2gCmCusC4qmOjlXLSFvUcOUTa12TUPI_xqqv-0B1d_q7CxdLoevkVOm57qcfNpLfcnjPVjsV0_v_5SvXtndEV-GxkMIbmY4zvDboR9ttH7cMjhFkhTK_Ts=>.  

Our gratitude to the following Jewish leaders, organizations, and 
congregations who have signed on to this letter (as of February 26, 2008):

Rabbi Cherie Koller-Fox
Rabbi Ronne Friedman
Rabbi Daniel Judson
Rabbi Lee Levin
Rabbi Jay Perlman
Rabbi Victor Reinstein
Rabbi Elyse Wechterman
Rabbi Jeffrey Wildstein
Ben Healey, (Kavod House)
Congregation Am Tikva
Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Temple Emanu-El, Rabbi Ira Korinow
Boston Workmen's Circle

*

Why HB 1722 Is Important:*

HB 1722 will help secure basic rights for people who are transgender. 
Transgender individuals are routinely fired from their jobs, remain 
unemployed or underemployed, and face unfair treatment when it comes to 
public accommodation, housing, and credit transactions simply because of 
who they are. HB 1722 will also hold accountable those who perpetrate 
hate crimes because of a victim's gender identity or expression.

This law also closes the loop on fully protecting everyone facing 
discrimination because of gender stereotyping. Many gay and lesbian 
citizens who report job discrimination or harassment are often singled 
out because they don't fit so-called gender norms. Adding this provision 
will strengthen the existing law protecting Massachusetts residents from 
discrimination based on sexual orientation.

*For the scholarly types, you can read the full text of the bill here 
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001nAfKF-MyBgYj5JU8ykQGMqHi-nRaXXzjn9CimcFgzypx4ahQdNtyydRNeaKhfrbf4SztH3uuWKr-m3PcMrErqJn7w7gb6BQ3Ol5dHqvSbTBc4QvHaSK3BoA8mAVkL4BojymvA9fAA_L7wswno4e9ct8VE6cadc2aimQf2a3aErUUTEKBEM4hVg==>!

*Keshet* 
284 Amory Street Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts 02130 | 617.524.9227
www.keshetonline.org 
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001nAfKF-MyBgZ4nc_O7M7TSI633SZXgGrqzyAjSsK5kNy0e84_w0CzgoFi-IcUQruk95rCfrn0eZWytP-p5wWg365dWad1GaNu3kSi9U3pjSiTXmGh4w-BMg==>

Keshet is proud to be a founding member of the Interfaith Coalition for 
Transgender Equality.

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Keshet | 284 Amory Street | Jamaica Plain | MA | 02130

-- 

Steve Nathan

Steven P. Nathan

Campus Rabbi and

Interim LGBTQ Advisor

Hampshire College 

Office of Spiritual Life -- Box SA

Amherst, MA 01002

Phone: (413) 559-6234

Fax: (413) 559-5663

snathan at hampshire.edu <mailto:snathan at hampshire.edu>

"The more deeply immersed I became in the thinking of the prophets, the 
more powerfully it became clear to me what the lives of the prophets 
sought to convey: that morally speaking there is no limit to the concern 
one must feel for the suffering of human beings. It also became clear to 
me that in regard to cruelties committed in the name of a free society, 
some are guilty, all are responsible."

-Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

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