Action Alert: Your Advocacy Needed on Discrimination Legislation

SEEKING ADVOCATES ON LESBIAN, GAY, AND BISEXUAL POLICY ISSUES

As the 108th Congress winds down and the election draws near, lesbian, gay, and bisexual policy issues are heating up. We are asking for you, as a psychologist and citizen, to call your Senators on two issues -- hate crimes and the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

Taking part in the political life of our country is a right and a privilege too often exercised by a minority of Americans---the actions of whom have profound effects on the personal and professional lives of us all.

ACTION NEEDED:

1) As you know, the U.S Senate passed the hate crimes bill (Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act) last month, by a vote of 65-33. The bill includes a provision to expand federal hate crime protection to sexual orientation, gender, and disability. It was offered as an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill by Senators Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. We are asking you to express either your appreciation or disappointment with your Senators’ votes.

Identify your Senators
See how your Senators voted

2) Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has scheduled a vote the week of July 12th on the Federal Marriage Amendment, a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as solely between a man and a woman. We are asking you to urge your Senators to vote against the amendment.

Included below is a sample script:

"Hello, my name is ______________ with (affiliation), and I am a constituent. I would like to speak to the Legislative Assistant who works on civil rights issues."

When you get the legislative assistant (LA):
"I am a constituent and a psychologist. I am calling for two reasons. One, to express my appreciation (or my disappointment) for the Senator’s vote on the hate crimes bill, the Local law Enforcement Enhancement Act, last month and two, to urge the Senator to vote against the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

Psychological research provides no evidence to justify discrimination against same-sex couples and families. Same-sex couples should have the same benefits that typically accrue as a result of marriage. The benefits, rights, and privileges associated with domestic partnerships and civil unions are not universally available, are not equal to those associated with marriage, and are rarely portable. Lesbian and gay couples should not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Do you know how your boss plans to vote?"

If you get voice mail:
"Please call me back [leave phone number] and let me know how your boss plans to vote."

If the reply is positive:
"Thank you. We look forward to the Senator’s leadership on this issue. The American Psychological Association has a briefing sheet on this issue, which may be of assistance to your boss during the debate. May I email or fax it to you?"

If the reply is negative:
"I must tell you that I feel very strongly about this issue. I respectfully disagree with your position and hope you will reconsider. The American Psychological Association has a briefing sheet on this issue. May I email or fax it to you?"

Feel free to use personal story/experience/findings of research to make your case and use talking points from the APA briefing sheet on same-sex families.
"As a constituent and psychologist, I have found_____________."

If the staffer has legislative questions or needs more information:
"I will confer with our legislative staff in Washington and either she or I will get back to you shortly. (Feel free to give Lori Valencia Greene’s contact information)"

Ending the conversation:
"Thank you for your time. Please consider me a resource on the issue."

For more information, please contact Lori Valencia Greene in APA's Public Policy Office at (202) 336-5931.

Read the APA Briefing Sheet on Same-Sex Families and Relationships