Correspondence

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo (D)

Letter emailed to Governor Raimondo

Dear Governor Raimondo,

I want to begin by thanking you for your years of service as both Rhode Island’s Treasurer and now the state’s first female Governor. I am currently a Graduate Student at the University of New England’s online Master of Social Work Program. I am working on a group project about Transgender Rights and I have some questions for you.

I wanted to ask you about your thoughts on Transgender Rights. Particularly, I am interested in the bill you signed this year banning conversion therapy in children. I am interested in how it came to be? Why you supported the bill? If you have received any responses for signing the bill and whether there are any other Transgender related policies in the works? As you know gender identity has the least amount of protection in this country. I believe Transgender individuals should have the same rights and freedoms as any other American citizen. Just because we do not know what it is like to feel as though we are a different gender surely does not mean we cannot support and protect the rights of those who do. I understand the discomfort some people feel regarding Transgender individuals, but they are just as worthy of protection and rights as everyone else.

I thank you in advance for your time and thank you again for all the work you do for the residents of Rhode Island.

Former Virginia State Delegate Dave Albo (R)

Email to Delegate Albo:

Dear Del. Albo,

I want to begin by thanking you for your years of service. Though we did not always agree on everything, there is much we do agree on, and either way, I very much appreciate your devotion to and work on behalf of your delegates in Springfield.

I wanted to ask you about your thoughts on transgender rights. This was not something you addressed explicitly, though if I recall correctly, you did make some public comments about at least one of the so-called bathroom bills. While I am encouraged that you do not believe being transgender is a disorder, I am curious about why you think the Fairfax School Board went too far in changing the language in the employment discrimination code. I believe non-discrimination policies are precisely where discrimination based on gender identity should be addressed. Of all the ways society tends to categorize and define people, gender identity has the least amount of explicit protection in this country. Throughout your time in office, you have supported citizen’s rights and liberties. How are transgender people different? I believe transgender individuals should have the same rights and freedoms as the rest of us to live as ourselves and pursue a productive, fulfilling existence. Just because we do not know what it is like to feel as though we are a different gender surely does not mean we cannot desire to guarantee that those who have that experience have the same protections we do. Personally, I cannot ever know what it is like to be a person of color, to be born wealthy, or to be healthy and able, but that does not mean I do not recognize that people who identify that way should be afforded the same rights that I have. I understand the discomfort some people feel regarding transgender individuals, but I do not understand why that means they are any less worthy of protection or do not have rights like everyone else. Why do you believe that prohibiting discrimination against them is over-the-top?

In your retirement announcement, you said we should email you if we wanted to hear more about you changing “which” to “that” in the speeding code. Since I love proper grammar and semantics, I would be interested to hear!

Thank you for hearing me out, and thank you again for 24 years of service.

Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly (D)

Email to Representative Connolly

Dear Rep. Connolly,

I am writing to both thank you for what you have done for the people of Virginia and the country, and to inquire about legislation I am particularly passionate about. I am currently working towards my Masters in Social Work and am focusing on advocacy right now. My interest today is transgender rights. I know you are a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, and I wonder what role you think government needs to play when it comes to the rights and protections of transgender individuals. I strongly believe in what this act would do – amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include updated definitions of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and expanding what is considered a public accommodation – but as we have seen, even the ban on discriminations in the original Civil Rights Act have not done enough to prohibit systemic oppression. What are the chances of passing this bill when so many legislators do not seem particularly concerned about anyone they deem undeserving? I have never understood when rights became something people had to earn.

While we are waiting for progress to be made at the national level, do you have ideas about what we could be working on at a more local level? I fear devolution is becoming the fallback for more progressive-minded people who want to move forward even though the federal government wants to move backwards. Would my efforts be best utilized trying to ensure protections at a local level? I am all for that idea, but it seems that in order to create the kind of cultural and systemic shift we really need, the whole country has to participate.

Thank you for your dedication. I am hopeful that someday, transgender individuals will be recognized as equal. Until that time, harm will continue to be done, and I will continue to fight it.

Massachusetts State Representative James J. Lyons, Jr. (R)

Email to Rep. Lyons

Dear Representative Lyons:

My name is Alexandra Jones and I reside at 130 Broadway in Haverhill, Massachusetts. I am a graduate student at The University of New England.

I am writing to you in regards to Bill H.2321, An act to secure the safety of the citizens of the commonwealth. I am interested in further detail of your position on the issue. I would like to know what you feel is at risk with the passing of the transgender anti-discrimination law, as well as your other thoughts on the issue. I would like to share your thoughts on a website we are creating for a class project. I find it important to remain informed of all points of view on the issue.

I also urge you to reconsider your position on the issue to include the protection of all citizens of the commonwealth, including the transgender community. I believe that everyone has the right to safety when using the restroom and all other areas of the community.

Thank you for considering my request.

Haverhill, MA Mayor James Fiorentini (D)

Email to Mayor Fiorentini

Dear Mayor Fiorentini:

My name is Alexandra Jones and I reside at 130 Broadway in Haverhill, Massachusetts. I am a graduate student at The University of New England.

I am writing to you in regards to The Massachusetts Mayors for Freedom Coalition. A large coalition is coming together to reverse a unsafe initiative on the statewide ballot in Massachusetts in November 2018.This initiative would repeal our state's non-discrimination law, ensuring fair and equal treatment for our transgender friends, family and loved ones. Many have come together to sustain that discrimination does not have a place in Massachusetts. I urge you to join the other leaders of our state, who also see the importance in the protections of all, in public spaces, including those of the transgender community . With your support of our Commonwealth’s non-discrimination laws, there will be continued protection for transgender people from discrimination in public spaces like restaurants, shops and hospitals. I would like to hear your position on the issue. I would also like to share your thoughts on a website we are creating for a class project advocating for the rights of the transgender community. I believe that everyone has the right to safety when using the restroom and all other areas of the community.

Thank you for considering my request.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R)

Letter emailed to AG Bondi

Dear Attorney General Bondi,

I want to begin by thanking you for your years of service as Attorney General for Florida. I am currently a Graduate Student at the University of New England’s online Master of Social Work Program. I am working on a group project about Transgender Rights and I have some questions for you.

I recall in 2014 you opposed same sex marriage so I was wondering what your position was on Transgender rights? Transgender people deserve to have rights like everyone else. They deserve the same opportunities and protections as any other American.

If you don't have any views on this issue, do you know of any colleagues that do have an opinion who our group could contact?

I want to thank you for all of the work you have done for our state and thank you for your time.

Florida Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R)

Letter emailed to Congressman Bilirakis

Dear Congressman Bilirakis,

I want to begin by thanking you for your years of service as a congressman for Florida, specifically North Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough County. I am currently a Graduate Student at the University of New England’s online Master of Social Work Program. I am working on a group project about Transgender Rights and I have some questions for you.

After reviewing your history and your webpage I can find your position on many important topics except Transgender Rights. Your webpage discusses your beliefs for healthcare and who should be covered, however the Transgender population is not included. From your website I am not clear as to what your position is on important bills such as the bathroom bill. Where do you stand as far as Transgender people receiving healthcare? I feel that we all deserve the same rights, opportunities and be treated equally.

If you don't have any views on this issue, do you know of any colleagues that do have an opinion who our group could contact?

I want to thank you for all of the work you have done for our counties and thank you for your time.