One important way that NCTE works with our allies and further leverages our clout and resources is by joining our voices with others on policy issues of significance to transgender people. In recent months, NCTE has signed on to letters addressing critical policy concerns faced by our community and by others. Doing this allows us to work as an effective ally and raises transgender visibility with other organizations. Some recent efforts include:

1. Opposition to the McConnell Amendment (No. 4021) to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. This amendment would require that voters present photo identification (pursuant to the already problematic REAL ID act) beginning in 2008. This Amendment could have a negative effect on voter participation and may make it more difficult for transgender people to vote if their identification and appearance do not clearly match.
2. Support for Patient Privacy as part of the Health Information Technology (HIT) legislation. This coalition seeks to ensure that any legislation dealing with electronic storage of medical information retains patient control and the physician-patient privilege.
3. Support for No More Money, a coalition which opposes abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education in our schools. When the range of information presented to students is limited, they miss life-saving information about their bodies, their health and the options available to them.

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