A few of the participants on Capitol Hill

On May 15, over 20 transgender activists and allies from eight states--from Nevada to New Jersey to California and Ohio--conducted congressional visits with House and Senate staff. In over 30 meetings, NCTE members educated policymakers about the importance of trans-inclusive Hate Crimes legislation, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), and other federal issues that impact our communities. Thank you to all who made time in their busy lives to join us in Washington, DC.

On June 16-18, NCTE will co-sponsor an important training event with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The Target States Conference will bring together a diverse core of state advocates who are and/or will be deeply involved in introducing and organizing around passage of transgender-inclusive anti-discrimination legislation on the state level.

Participants are expected from Vermont, Wisconsin, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Maryland. These states currently cover "sexual orientation" but not yet "gender identity or expression" in their anti-discrimination laws. Different states are in very different places in terms of the process of passing trans-inclusive.

A key element of the training will be the opportunity for state advocates to learn from each other in sharing best practices and challenges they've encountered doing the work. Expert trainers will present on a wide range of topics over a day and a half of intensive training on the process of passing a statewide law, practical tools for achieving this goal, working with legislators, building you team, using the media, and drafting a state-wide plan.

For more information about the conference, contact Simon Aronoff at saronoff@NCTEquality.org.

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