Pam Spaulding's Blog, page 65

Fundie David Barton spreads the word about full 'Christian' control w/Seven Mountains Dominionism

I usually can laugh at some of the tidbits that Kyle at Right Wing Watch posts, because the fundies overreach way too often in ways that are hilarious.

However this post about David Barton and Seven Mountains Dominionism is downright scary. It sounds like something out of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

As we have explained before, Seven Mountains dominionism seeks to place Christians in control over the seven forces that shape and control our culture: (1) Business; (2) Government; (3) Media; (4) Arts and Entertainment; (5) Education; (6) Family; and (7) Religion. The reason for this, as Lance Wallnau, the leading advocate for Seven Mountains theology, explained is that Jesus "doesn't come back until He's accomplished the dominion of nations." And the way "dominion of nations" is accomplished is by having Christians gain control of these "seven mountains" in order to install a "virtual theocracy" overseen by "true apostles" who will fight Satan and his Antichrist agenda.

In the past we have caught people like Porter teaming up with Seven Mountains advocate Cindy Jacobs and praying for God to give Christians control over the media and government mountains. We've even found David Barton sharing the stage with Jacobs. In fact, later this month both Barton and Garlow will be joining other Seven Mountain Dominionists/Spiritual Warriors for an event called "Government Transformation Summit For Visionary Leaders" [PDF] in Texas.

But Barton has tended to keep his ties to this movement under wraps and we had never heard him explicitly advocate Seven Mountains Dominionism ... until today on his radio program.

You have to click over and listen to believe it. Kyle also noted that this kind of shite is being bleated by prospective GOP Clown Car occupant Mike Huckabee, who said that all Americans should be forced to listen to Barton's messages - at gunpoint if necessary.

Maryland's Gender Identity Bill Moves Out Of Rules Committee

"This is an important victory for democracy, that it proves that the most marginalized community, if it speaks out forcefully and directly enough, can move its government, and that many people are responsible for making this happen. But now we're back in the normal flow, out of limbo, and we need to work to get this done. Further discussion will be for later."

~Dr. Dana Beyer

Maryland's HB 235 (frequently referred to as the Gender Identity Bill) has moved out of the Maryland Senate's Rules Committee, and to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. From the Equality Maryland (EqMD) press release:

GENDER IDENTITY BILL MOVES OUT OF RULES COMMITTEE

Equality Maryland celebrates overcoming significant hurdle to keep critical protections moving

ANNAPOLIS, MD, APRIL 5, 2011 - Today, members of the Senate Rules Committee, lead by Senators Kathy Klausmeier and Brian Frosh, voted to send House Bill 235, the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act, to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee where given the public commitments made by committee members, it is expected to pass. HB 235 would prohibit discrimination against transgender Marylanders in the areas of employment, housing and credit.

Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Executive Director of Equality Maryland

"With today's vote, the Senate Rules committee stood up for fairness. Discrimination is unjust, regardless of who experiences it and should never be tolerated.  With the Rules Committee vote, we're one step closer in passing vital protections for Maryland's transgender community. Currently, 1 in 5 transgender Marylanders are fired because of who they are. In these tough economic times, no one should live in fear that they'll be discriminated against in the workplace.  

We are hopeful that after thousands of emails and hundreds of calls that HB 235 will continue to advance, but we will not rest until the final minutes of this legislative session.  Equality Maryland is joined by our coalition of partners and activists throughout the state in launching a full court press on this critical legislation.  We need to keep up the hard work as we look towards a potential floor vote.  This bill is about people's lives and livelihood.  We are committed to doing all that we can o ensure that transgender Marylanders are provided job and housing protections this year. It is long overdue."

Let me state here that this is a time for action -- this is the time to contact Maryland State Senators about HB 235. The following is contact information for the members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee:

James Brochin





Jennie M. Forehand





Joseph M. Getty





Nancy Jacobs





Victor R. Ramirez





Jamin B. (Jamie) Raskin





Christopher B. Shank





Norman R. Stone, Jr.





Robert A. Zirkin

To contact one's own Maryland State Senator about the importance of HB 235, Equality Maryland has a page where one can enter in one's zip code to find out who one's representatives are, and how to contact those representatives. That webpage is here.

Transgender civil rights are human rights -- that needs to be communicated to Maryland State Senators now.

The White House releases guidance on reducing sexual violence on campuses

Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and University of New Hampshire Senior Sara Jane Bibeau deliver remarks at the University of New Hampshire, in Durham, NH, April 4, 2011. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann). (Official White House Photo)

Sara Jane Bibeau, a student at the University of New Hampshire, contributed a piece to the White House Blog, "Ending Sexual Violence: One Student on One Campus at a Time," I thought it would be an appropriate message to post here.

I love being a student at the University of New Hampshire. It's in a beautiful part of the country, the campus is gorgeous, and there are so many opportunities for students to grow and develop.

But I never imagined those opportunities would include introducing the Vice President of the United States.

Today I was able to stand up and talk about an issue that is so important to me: ending sexual assault. I believe we can all work together to change the culture so that rape and sexual assault are not tolerated. Teens and young women experience the highest rates of sexual assault. Our generation has the chance to make it stop.

The Vice President feels the same way. Today he shared the stories of victims, talked about the progress we have made, and challenged us to take the next step and prevent rape before it ever happens.

Here's a video of VP Biden, who, along with Arne Duncan, the admin's Secretary of Education, announced the release of guidance documents to help schools reduce sexual assault.

These are your friends, these are your classmates, the people you study with. You need to watch out for each other. You are the first-and best-line of defense...The more and more you bring attention to the issue, the less and less the behavior goes unnoticed, unreported and unpunished, and the more and more attitudes begin to change.

The Vice President was able to speak for young women and men whose voices had been silenced by rape and other forms of sexual violence. He inspired me to continue my work as an advocate for victims, and keep speaking publicly about the devastating consequences to our society. He also gave us the confidence to carry on our fight to end sexual violence. In his words, "not just to decrease it, to end it."

I was both honored and privileged to introduce Vice President Biden today, but what I'm really excited about are the next steps. I believe that this event was just one of many great things to come here at UNH and across other communities in our nation.

Know your rights under Title IX? Learn more. Read the full text of the guidance, as well as a fact sheet.

An Unexpected Letter From The Maryland LGBT Caucus To State Senate President Mike Miller

Update from Laurel: The bill has been sent form the Rules Committee to the Judicial Proceedings Committee.  Press release below the fold.


There has been a very unexpected development in the Maryland's HB 235 -- the gender identity bill. The following letter was sent by the House of Delegates' LGBT caucus to State Senate President Mike Miller (D-District 27):

March 31, 2011

Dear Mr. President,

We respectfully request that you allow HB 235, Human Relations - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity - Antidiscrimination to be passed out of the Rules Committee to allow for a vote in the Judicial Proceedings Committee.  This bill received a supermajority vote of support in the House and was sent to the Senate before the crossover deadline.  Please allow it to have a fair hearing in the Senate.

We believe that this bill is absolutely necessary for the civil protections of a subset of Marylanders who are most vulnerable to discrimination and prejudices.  In that context, studies show that transgender individuals are victims of violent crimes, including murder, at a much higher rate than other groups.

This bill would offer limited protections with respect to employment, housing and financial security.   In the hearing in the Health and Government Operations Committee we learned the transgender community has double the national average rate of unemployment (14%) and 90% face discrimination or harassment at work. With regard to housing, 11% report having been evicted for being transgender and 10% have been homeless.

In the hearing, there was testimony about all manner of abuse based solely on the discomfort that others have with the appearance or mannerisms of transgender individuals. No one in this country should be subjected to these mistreatments, but this defined group of people experiences them frequently in their daily lives.

We are simply asking for full consideration of this bill on behalf of these Marylanders.  Please pass HB 235 out of the Rules Committee and into JPR for a hearing on this very important issue.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Maggie McIntosh

Anne Kaiser

Heather Mizeur        

Peter Murphy

Luke Clippinger

Bonnie Cullison

Mary Washington

Cc:

Senator Katherine Klausmeier

Senator Brian Frosh

Basically, the LGBT caucus in the House of Delegates has made an ask of Sen. Miller -- they, as a group, are asking him to ensure that the gender identity bill goes to the Senate floor for a vote.

There are now seven lesbian and gay Maryland delegates that are now strongly on record in favor of cvil rights based on gender identity. No matter what one's opinon is of HB 235, having seven lesbian and gay Maryland Delegates who previously weren't on record as an LGBT caucus for cvil rights based on gender identity who now are on record as an LGBT caucus -- well, that's a positive for future legislative years.

For lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender voters and their allies in Maryland this year, this is now an important time to contact one's State Senator, as well as contact Senator Miller's office. Civil rights are a LGBT community issue that is deserving of our attention and efforts.

GENDER IDENTITY BILL MOVES OUT OF RULES COMMITTEE

Equality Maryland celebrates overcoming significant hurdle to keep critical protections moving

ANNAPOLIS, MD, APRIL 5, 2011 - Today, members of the Senate Rules Committee, lead by Senators Kathy Klausmeier and Brian Frosh, voted to send House Bill 235, the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act, to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee where given the public commitments made by committee members, it is expected to pass. HB 235 would prohibit discrimination against transgender Marylanders in the areas of employment, housing and credit.



Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Executive Director of Equality Maryland

"With today's vote, the Senate Rules committee stood up for fairness. Discrimination is unjust, regardless of who experiences it and should never be tolerated.  With the Rules Committee vote, we're one step closer in passing vital protections for Maryland's transgender community. Currently, 1 in 5 transgender Marylanders are fired because of who they are. In these tough economic times, no one should live in fear that they'll be discriminated against in the workplace.

We are hopeful that after thousands of emails and hundreds of calls that HB 235 will continue to advance, but we will not rest until the final minutes of this legislative session.  Equality Maryland is joined by our coalition of partners and activists throughout the state in launching a full court press on this critical legislation.  We need to keep up the hard work as we look towards a potential floor vote.  This bill is about people's lives and livelihood.  We are committed to doing all that we can o ensure that transgender Marylanders are provided job and housing protections this year. It is long overdue."

Too many heathens in Durham? What about 'political heathens'?

I know the South has a reputation for representing a wide, "moral", red-behind-slapping Bible Belt, but I know for a fact that, at least in our Blue area of NC, the fundies just aren't making headway. There are simply too many heathens in Durham, lol.

Example - Kate and I frequently drove past a curiously out-of-place Christian Family Store at our local mall. It always looked empty; we wondered who on earth around here would patronize it -- I mean how many bibles and religious doo-dads can one need in your home when you could probably get it online? Anyway, the store finally bit it a month or two ago.

The sign came down and its replacement turned up this weekend -- The Men's Warehouse is moving in, ha ha. It will no doubt bring in more $$$ with the visible location, and more in-sync demographics.

That's not to say that Durham is anti-religion at all. There are plenty of affirming houses of worship in our city, and many show up to march in Pride. They are active in the community's culture. It's just not fundie-in-your-face culture. Usually the ones we see at Pride come in from more rural counties, wasting their gas to do things like hilariously damn me with a message on a pizza box (right).

But for all the laughter (left), that doesn't necessarily translate into epic pro-LGBT votes, mind you.

The battle we have in 2011 and particularly 2012 is simply getting LGBTs and allies to the polls, period. The level of political apathy among the general "heathen" and allied population, is problem largely based on complacency or a lack of a belief that a compelling political issue is worthy of them getting their behinds out to the polls. Ask the progressives of Wake County (Raleigh and environs, who let 3% of the voting pop decide to let fundies run the school board).

I had a recent meeting with a former member of the Durham for Obama campaign who revealed just how hard it was to get people to the polls during 2008, when there was a compelling election and plenty of motivation to go around. She said that despite all the positive polls (NC was a close win for Obama), it took a ton of door-to-door work to make those who expressed how they would vote to actually go to the polls. I forgot she said how many calls/visits were needed to convert into a vote, but it was an astonishing number that grassroots workers all know about.

When I covered the recent EQUALITY IN ACTION Town Hall Meeting to inform local citizens, LGBT and allies, about the pending marriage amendment in NC (held in the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall), the fact is the very people who needed to know more information didn't attend -- what I would call "political heathens," those who show up to Pride, go out to gay clubs and bars, but don't even know their state lawmakers, let alone ever write a letter to them regarding this amendment.

Also count in that "political heathen" group some well-meaning potential allies that don't know enough about the issue to frame it correctly when confronted by someone using religion to support including discrimination in the state constitution.

So those who do get involved have to think of ways to engage the unengaged in a way that the right-wing already knows how to do so well -- through churches. Progressive churches here need to be out of the closet and as politically active as those opposed to equality. That means the churched speaking to the churched, bringing in pro-equality ministers and pastors on board to play a public role. We need to have press conferences showing faith leaders who want the right to marry gay and lesbian couples.

For the rest it means hitting the campuses, and working with the NC Democratic Party to ensure there is a clear public stance against the amendment and a ground plan that engages the counties that are more prone to be energized by the right, get citizens to let lawmakers know they are watching. We cannot afford to fantasize that our side will turnout to "do the right thing" without hard work from the grassroots to the grasstops in states where there is a lot at stake. There are plenty of people out there who have no idea why it might be important to vote and see casting a ballot as more of an inconvenience than a right that blood was shed to ensure.

***

A cautionary tale unfolding at the national level and it should be a surprise to no one. What will proponents of equality do to address this?...

A national anti-gay group has paid to quietly train more than ten thousand pastors across the nation to support socially conservative political movements, and some GOP heavyweights are lending a hand, according to the New York Times.

...Now AFA is hoping these trainings energize the religious right and get socially conservative pastors to exhort their flocks to vote to restore what they see as the biblical roots of American government.  So far the meetings have been organized in Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and several times in Iowa, where a recent gathering drew several high-profile Republicans said to be considering running for president, according to the Times.

..The regional meetings are organized as discrete temporary coalitions, but the AFA is said to be footing most of the cost for transportation and lodging for the pastors and their spouses, who are instructed in ways to become more politically active from the pulpit without running afoul of IRS rules that forbid tax-exempt churches from advocating for specific candidates.

 

Blade: certification of DADT repeal could happen this summer; GOP anti-gays flounder

The trainings are already in progress, and the Pentagon says DADT repeal could happen as early as this summer. Washington Blade:

In a hearing before the House Armed Services personnel subcommittee, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness Clifford Stanley and Director of the Joint Staff Vice Adm. William Gourtney said implementation for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal is proceeding on track and troops are being trained to handle open service.

Stanley told the Republican-controlled panel that training could be sufficiently finished by mid-summer to allow for certification for repeal.

The elected opponents of repeal are starting to squirm uncontrollably; some choice quotes from the hearing; out comes the tiny violin:

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), chair of the subcommittee: "I felt the repeal was rushed through without adequate review and consideration of the extent of the full implications of repeal," Wilson said. "I believe the lame duck session was undemocratic and that dozens of defeated congress members adopted a law with significant consequences, but it failed to even pass a budget. It was a violation of the principles of representative democracy."

Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO): "I think that this survey and study was a conclusion looking for a study," he said. "This is a political decision made by the executive branch and the military will follow it under whatever circumstances or ramifications it has to the combat effectiveness of our forces."

Rep. Allen West (R-FL) : "I remember going through the military, we took behaviors and we formed it to the military," West said. "Using a term that they have over in the Middle East, I'm just very wary of the fact that this could be the camel getting his nose under the tent."

Rep. Vicky Hartlzer (R-MO): "I'm very concerned that in a time of war in our country -- we have men and women in harm's way -- that we are making such a radical, major shift in our policy." The freshman Republican also took the Elaine Donnelly position, focusing on bunks and showers, saying, according to the Blade, that men and women don't bunk or shower together.

Beautiful: Columbus Gay Men's Chorus and Columbus Children's Choir

The Columbus Gay Men's Chorus has teamed up with the Columbus Children's Choir to deliver this "It Gets Better" message, Christina Aguilera's Beautiful.

H/T Dan Savage

Virginia Considering Gay Adoption Protections

According to Liberty Council, the home state of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson has proposed adding anti-discrimination regulations for LGB adoptive and foster parents.

This is not a bill in the state legislature. It is merely a change in the policy of the Virginia Department of Social Services.

The proposed 22VAC40-131-170(B) states:

B. The licensee shall prohibit acts of discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or family status to:
1. Delay or deny a child's placement; or
2. Deny an individual the opportunity to apply to become a foster or adoptive parent.

Wingnut hysteria ensues.

From Liberty Council's website:

Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is considering a regulation that would force even private, church-run adoption agencies to place children in homes with same-sex couples, where these vulnerable children will be influenced in their upbringing and education by practicing homosexuals.

Oh the horror!

LC provides a link to the Virginia Regulatory Townhall Forum where readers can post complaints on the proposed regulations. Conveniently, the comments closed at the end of the day yesterday. As you can imagine, most of the comments are very ugly, but in a loving Christian way.

Take a moment to tell VDSS that you support the prososal.

Or if you want someone more specific: Acccording to the Regulations Register (PDF), the agency contact for this propsal is Joni S. Baldwin. Her email: joni (dot) baldwin (at) dss (dot) virginia (dot) gov.

Virgina Considering Gay Adoption Protections

According to Liberty Council, the home state of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson has proposed adding anti-discrimination regulations for LGB adoptive and foster parents.

This is not a bill in the state legislature. It is merely a change in the policy of the Virginia Department of Social Services.

The proposed 22VAC40-131-170(B) states:

B. The licensee shall prohibit acts of discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or family status to:
1. Delay or deny a child's placement; or
2. Deny an individual the opportunity to apply to become a foster or adoptive parent.

Wingnut hysteria ensues.

From Liberty Council's website:

Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is considering a regulation that would force even private, church-run adoption agencies to place children in homes with same-sex couples, where these vulnerable children will be influenced in their upbringing and education by practicing homosexuals.

Oh the horror!

LC provides a link to the Virginia Regulatory Townhall Forum where readers can post complaints on the proposed regulations. Conveniently, the comments closed at the end of the day yesterday. As you can imagine, most of the comments are very ugly, but in a loving Christian way.

Take a moment to tell VDSS that you support the prososal.

Or if you want someone more specific: Acccording to the Regulations Register (PDF), the agency contact for this propsal is Joni S. Baldwin. Her email: joni (dot) baldwin (at) dss (dot) virginia (dot) gov.

Who's Actually Doing Maryland's Gender Identity Bill (HB 235) Grassroots Activism

As a parent of five adult & teen children, a grandparent of five grandchildren, an aunt to over a dozen nieces and nephews living in Maryland, and a worker at St. John the Evangelist School in Severna Park and a 32 year Md. resident, I implore you to protect the safety of all our citizens by voting against HB 235. If this were to pass I would be afraid of taking children into a public restroom, signing them up for extra curricular activities, among others without constant supervision from a family member. Life is confusing and complicated enough for our young people growing up in today's culture. They don't need the added pressure of having to deal with adults who cannot offer healthy guidance and protection because they can't figure out who they are...Do you realize in Australia they recognize 23 gender identities? Do you want that happening here in America?

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, for the sake of our children, VOTE AGAINST HB 235.

~Excerpt From A Sample Lobbying Letter To A Maryland State Legislator Against Passage Of HB 235

There's insider strategies and outsider strategies, and these can be accomplished by professional lobbyists and grassroots lobbyists.

One of the effective tools of grassroots activism involves citizen lobbying. The formula is actually pretty simple:

Identify the target and/or audience. That target could be a legislator, regulator, or legislative aide or a bureaucrat who can influence legislation/regulation coming into effect. Or, an audience may be voters one wants to vote for a particular piece of legislation. Basically, one needs to identify who one wants to message to for a particular piece of legislation and/or regulatory change.





Identify the problem one wants addressed. Pretty self-explanatory.





Explain why one wants a bill to pass/not pass into law; explain why one believes a regulation is required/not required. For example, if one is a grassroots activist for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), one would tell a personal story of employment discrimination. If one were against ENDA, then one would cite an emotionally charged reason -- which may include a personal story why one would have to violate a personal conviction to comply with ENDA, or a hypothetical of how passing ENDA into law would have a scary secondary effect.





An ask. What exactly you want the legislator/bureaucrat/voter to do at the end of your lobbying. That could be to sign your petition for an initiative, vote for or against a particular piece of legislation, or create a regulation to remedy the problem one identified.

To effectively engage in grassroots lobbying, one needs to at least loosely organize a significant number of people to send a coherent message to the target and/or audience.

So for Maryland's gender identity bill -- HB 235 -- there should have been a target of state legislators trans Marylanders and their allies by transgender community members and their allies. If one is for the bill, one needed to lobby one's legislator for the bill; if one is against the bill, then one needed to lobby against the bill.

Who hasn't effectively organized and lobbied citizen lobbyists for or against Maryland's gender identity bill? Transgender people and their allies. Who has been more effectively organized and sent a coherent message to Maryland's legislators against the gender identity bill? People on the religious right.

I've received a package of letters sent to one Maryland legislator, and the letters ran 30-to-1 against the gender identity bill. The legislator in question had received no letters from trans people lobbying against the passage of HB 235. The only letters against HB 235 were from people on the religious right -- and those letters were mostly from people in some way affiliated with Grace Brethren Christian School.

A sample of some of the letters:

[More below the fold.]

As a parent of five adult & teen children, a grandparent of five grandchildren, an aunt to over a dozen nieces and nephews living in Maryland, and a worker at St. John the Evangelist School in Severna Park and a 32 year Md. resident, I implore you to protect the safety of all our citizens by voting against HB 235. If this were to pass I would be afraid of taking children into a public restroom, signing them up for extra curricular activities, among others without constant supervision from a family member. Life is confusing and complicated enough for our young people growing up in today's culture. They don't need the added pressure of having to deal with adults who cannot offer healthy guidance and protection because they can't figure out who they are. (more detailed reasons stated below). Do you realize in Australia they recognize 23 gender identities? Do you want that happening here in America?

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, for the sake of our children, VOTE AGAINST HB 235.

The Maryland bill uses the force of law to impose cross-dressing, transgenderism, and a range of related behaviors and affectations into society against the will of citizens with traditional values or religious beliefs.

Most importantly, this bill completely ignores the fact that the medical community considers "gender identity disorder" a mental illness. It ignores the fact that attempting to change one's sex is biologically impossible. Every single human cell contains chromosomes which identify whether we are male or female. That cannot be changed. And it ignores widespread medical observations that using mutilation, surgery, hormone treatments, etc., to try to change one's sex generally leads to worse psychological problems for the individual, including suicide attempts. (Several years ago Johns Hopkins University stopped performing "transgender" operations for those reasons.)

It requires all Maryland employers including government agencies to hire, promote, and include cross-dressers in every part of the workplace without discrimination. Business owners will be helpless - under threat of lawsuit or punishment - not to have men in dresses waiting on customers, etc.





It also extends to public schools and even day-care centers, which will legally be unable to turn away cross-dressers and "transgenders" from teaching or working with children.





It will require transgenderism, cross-dressing, and related behaviors to be considered legally normal. Thus, activists can compel schools to have transgender assemblies and similar activities including library books promoting transgenderism. This will also lead to transgender diversity training in businesses.





All real estate transactions are covered -- people have no choice when renting or selling units or homes.





Since transgender employees may not be discriminated against in the workplace, they cannot be restricted to using male or female restrooms in stores, restaurants, bars, schools, day care facilities, or other places of employment.





Employers may not require a genetic test to determine the actual sex of an employee or applicant.





The bill defines "gender identity" as "a gender-related identity or appearance of an individual regardless of the individual's assigned sex at birth." This opens the door to a wide range of behaviors and interpretations by activists. This definition also clearly denies biological reality.

Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.

Please vote "NO" for Bill HB 235! When you vote it affects all for Maryland, not just your constituents. You should not be voting an issues like this. It does not serve the community or state as a whole. Consider the following information.

This bill completely ignores the fact that the medical community considers "gender identity disorder" a mental illness. It ignores the fact that attempting to change one's sex is biologically impossible. Every single human cell contains chromosomes which identify whether we are male or female. That cannot be changed. And it ignores widespread medical observations that using mutilation, surgery, hormone treatments, etc., to try to change one's sex generally leads to worse psychological problems for the individual, including suicide attempts. (Several years ago Johns Hopkins University stopped performing "transgender" operations for those reasons.)

Please vote NO on the Gender Identity Bill HB 235:

I have worked with many who have done complete body part cuttings/surgeries. After the fact-many have still been in deep depression - with a myriad of issues that cause huge problems for everyone around.

Can you know the depth of what is ahead with this bill to cause pain & problems unseen.....?

Please reconsider for the sake of the children & future generations-this is more complex than what it appears from the surface.

The Emperor has no clothes!

Please oppose HB 235. This bill is imposing upon Marylanders that they must deny reality! That is not only ridiculous, it is just so wrong! in America, no one should be allowed to force their distorted definition of reality on others.

In fact, in Montgomery County where a similar gender identity bill was passed over the wishes of the overwhelming majority of residents, the Montgomery County Ethics Commission held that Marylanders are not credible witnesses if they fail to use what the Commission considers to be the correct pronouns in addressing a man as a woman. This governmental ruling is an example of the ridiculous consequences of these defective Gender Identity laws.

Most importantly, this bill completely ignores the fact that the medical community considers "gender identity disorder" a mental illness. It ignores the fact that attempting to change one's sex is biologically impossible. Every single human cell contains chromosomes which identify whether we are male or female. That cannot be changed. And it ignores widespread medical observations that using mutilation, surgery, hormone treatments, etc., to try to change one's sex generally leads to worse psychological problems for the individual, including suicide attempts. (Several years ago Johns Hopkins University stopped performing "transgender" operations for those reasons.)

I hope that I can count on you to oppose this bill.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE VOTE AGAINST HB 235!

This bill would use the force of law to impose cross-dressing, transgenderism, and a range of related and disturbing behaviors into society against the will of citizens with traditional values or religious beliefs. How can you discriminate against the majority of citizens merely to please a small minority? The thought of men dressed as women using the ladies' restroom is horrifying. Even worse, this would open the door for pedophiles to dress as women in order to follow young girls into restrooms!! Do you want that on your conscience? Do you want your own daughters stalked by men in public restrooms?? That is just the tip of the iceberg; all children will be at risk if this bill is passed!

Furthermore, this bill completely ignores the fact that the medical community considers "gender identity disorder" a mental illness. PLEASE DO NOT UNLEASH THIS MADNESS ON SOCIETY!

This is not the time to cave in to some "politically correct" mentality. The ramifications are frightening. Protect our children and grandchildren by voting AGAINST HB 235.

Vote NO on Gender Identity Bill

This bill is bad science and bad policy, inasmuch as every cell of our bodies contains DNA identifying us as either male or female. Why is an aggressive minority being allowed to hamstring our government with bad law like this?

I am a high-earning Maryland taxpayer on the cusp of moving to Virginia where my tax bill will be reduced and my legislators won't be burning up time and worrying me with this dangerous nonsense.

Remember the time the Iowa legislature legally mandated a value for the mathematical constant "Pi" since they couldn't cope with the FACT that it was by definition an irrational number? Didn't think so. Go look that one up, and learn.

Please get back to work -- I mean REAL work that benefits our state, and stop afflicting us with this nonsense.

I am writing to ask you to vote against what is presently known as HB 235 if it is brought before the Senate for a vote.  This is a bill which has the admirable goal protecting people from discrimination but which in reality has serious unintended consequences for businesses which need to be considered.

There are hundreds of businesses where outward appearance matters for very practical reasons. A partial list includes many customer-facing businesses ranging from law to investment banking to consulting to food service. Businesses in areas such as childcare have even more magnified issues with the appearances they must present. I know of no parents who would send their small children into the care of someone physically male who dresses as in a way that does not match their physical gender. Is this irrational or based in hate? Of course not.

How people choose to dress and present themselves on their own time is one thing. But giving employees legal right to dress in any manner they please while on the job represents a clear violation of a business's right to present a particular public image. Just to give one example,most Wall Street firms have high standards of dress for men and women. These are simply firms which absolutely must present a sharp image to their customers. Even if just a few employees get a special privilege to dress as they please, the ability to impose appearance standards on everyone falls apart. It would be understandable if such economic powerhouses steer clear of Maryland in the future.

The passage of this bill would unintentionally further cement Maryland's reputation as a state unfriendly to business. Chief Executive Magazine recently (2010) ranked Maryland only at #33 out of fifty states for business as compared with Virginia at #4. This is a huge embarrassment because the two states are neighbors whose "base conditions" are so similar. This CEO survey is crucial because CEOs have discretion on where to place new jobs, and for our region things often boil down to a choice between the two states.

I sincerely hope you see the real unintended harm of this legislation. If this legislation passes into law as it is, it will be the basis for continuing legal conflict because it violates the right of countless businesses to have standards of dress for the sake of appearance before their customers.

I am writing you to encourage you to vote no on HR 235. There are some very sound facts that show that encouraging transgender people is detrimental to their own health and also creates an environment that is unhealthy for business owners, community organizations and our children in the public schools.

The medical community has classified "gender identity disorder" a "mental illness." Because of the increase in psychological problems and suicides in people who undergo surgery, hormones, etc. to "change their gender identity" John Hopkins now does not perform the above treatments for transgender people. It is impossible to change the DNA of every cell in the body which is programmed in your physical body.

Do we really want to force the Boy Scouts to allow a female transgender become a boy scout leader or a male transgender to become a girl scout leader ?

Do we really want to normalize a lifestyle, deemed a mental illness, to our children in the public schools?

Do we really want to allow adult men/boys to go into female rest rooms and shower rooms in our elementary public schools, local gyms , and places of business?

Do we want male transgenders  being admitted to an all girl's school or female transgenders being admitted to an all boy's school? I think it is obvious that passing this bill would open a pandora's box of consequences that will cause a public outcry.

I could site many more potential examples of how this bill will affect our normal everyday life.

Thank you so much for listening to my concerns.

In considering the attempt to recognize multiple genders, you will NOT be making a courageous stand,...instead you will be pleasing thousands of hungry lawyers eager to prey on the confusion and clog our courts with wasteful lawsuits.

You will contribute to a decaying society that has lost its moral compass, and you will earn the wrath of a disgusted public. Vote in favor of this legislation and we the people will unite to drive you out of office at the next possible election.

Show some true courage and stand on what is right. Man, Woman, PERIOD.

Note that there are similar themes reflected in several letters. It's clear the letter writers worked from talking points, and they were engaging in -- from a pro forma perspective -- effective grassroots lobbying.

And again, not a single trans identified person who is against the gender identity bill sent this particular Maryland state legislator a letter in favor of rejecting HB 235 in favor of a better bill in future years.

I like optimism. I try to be optimistic. However, with all the online activity of late by those transgender, transsexual, and those who identify as both transgender and transsexual people who oppose HB 235, it appears that almost none of it is translating into effective lobbying of state legislators.

For those trans identified people who are against HB 235, they are leaving their grassroots lobbying against the bill to the religious right -- the religious right who aren't exactly saying positive things about transgender people.

How much of a real win will it be for transgender community activists against HB 235 if they're leaving the lobbying against HB 235 to the antitransgender sentiments of voters on the religious right? Leaving the lobbying against HB 235 to the religious right isn't a pathway to getting a bill that includes housing, employment, and public accommodation protections based on gender identity passed next year, or in years to come.

Trans Marylanders against HB 235 appear to have been better at armchair activism than effective activism. And for that matter, grassroots transgender activists for HB 235 don't appear to be as good at organizing and lobbying legislators as the religous right either.

I read in the comment threads of Pam's House Blend and other blogs, and have frequently read that transgender people need to organize themselves and take command of their own political destiny. So far, I haven't seen much effective, basic political organizing of the grassroots of trans identified people towards lobbying legislators.

I'd like to be wrong here. If someone can show me evidence that I'm wrong, I'm all ears -- if I'm wrong about this, then I'll definitely apologize.

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With March 31st having been Cesar Chavez Day, let me quote him on grassroots organizing and activism:

It is not good enough to know why we are oppressed and by whom. We must join the struggle for what is right and just.

A good organizer has to work hard and long. There are no shortcuts. You just keep talking to people, working with them, sharing, exchanging and they come along.

If a leader cannot give it all he cannot expect his people to give anything.

Talk is cheap...It is the way we organize and use our lives everyday that tells what we believe in.

The religious right is more organized than we in transgender community are, and they're doing lobbying as a community in Maryland and we aren't engaging in lobbying nearly to the level of their level of lobbying. That should tell us something about what we transgender people, as a community, really believe in.

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