Akron Fights For Trans Rights: Call Your Councilor Scripts.

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Akron Fights for Trans Rights: Call Your Councilor Scripts.

These scripts are offered to help you communicate your desire to help protect the trans population. Try reading them through once or twice to build confidence before reaching out to your elected officials. You have a voice: use it! Don’t know your ward? Use City of Akron’s Find My Ward tool here!

Voicemail Script:

Hello <councilperson’s name>, My name is <name> and I am calling on behalf of the Akron Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. We have been circulating a petition to urge the city to protect trans Akronites, and have collected more than 800 signatures from Akron citizens who share our concerns and want the city to protect our trans community. Trans people are facing attacks from both the state legislature of Ohio and from the federal government. I am calling on you to help ensure Akron protects its citizens. An example of the type of legislation we are fighting against is HB249. This bill would ban drag performances where minors might be present, but the broad and vague language in the bill could be weaponized against any gender non-conformity in the arts generally. This could have dire consequences for the livelihoods of performers of all genders as well as our rich arts industry. Our resolution would provide protections against this by making enforcement of this law within Akron limits lowest priority. We have drafted a resolution based on similar successful efforts in Lakewood, Ohio and Kansas City, but we’re seeking to work with Akron City Council on fine-tuning the language and getting support for it in council chambers. Our members have been canvassing in the community to raise awareness on this issue as well, and the response has been widely supportive. Please text or call me back at <phone number> at your earliest convenience. Thank you, and I look forward to collaborating with you! This script may be used as the basis for an email if direct verbal communication is not possible. However, calls are a more direct means of communication.

Live Call Script:

My name is <name> and I am calling on behalf of the Akron Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. We have been circulating a petition to urge the city to protect trans Akronites. Are you familiar with Akron Fights for Trans Rights? If yes: Great! If no: No worries! Either way: Well let me tell you why I’m calling you today.
  • We have more than 800 signatures so far from Akron citizens who share our concerns and want the city to protect our trans community.
  • We have drafted a resolution based on similar successful efforts in Lakewood, Ohio and Kansas City. Can I send this to you? We’re trying to get it in front of the city council, but we’re also looking for input to help fine-tune it for our city.
  • Will you help us in moving this resolution forward?
If the councilor mentions Akron’s current anti-discrimination protections:
  • While Akron does have a solid foundation of anti-discrimination protections, this goes farther by fighting against anti-laws in the state and federal government.
If asked about contents of resolution:
  • This resolution calls for protections such as:
    • No participation in criminal prosecution against people receiving gender affirming care.
    • Non-enforcement of anti-trans laws from other jurisdictions.
    • Deprioritization of anti-trans laws within Akron’s jurisdiction. 
    • No unnecessary collection of trans Akronites’ data.
    • Non-disclosure of LGBT+ students’ identities or personal info.
  • HB249 would ban drag performances, stigmatize trans people.
    • With the executive order in place, the city of Akron would not prosecute performers for gender non-conformity.
If they refuse:
  • Can I ask why you don’t want to offer support?
  • What could we do to help you reconsider?
If they agree: Thank you, and I look forward to collaborating with you!
260403_AFTRCallYourCouncilorScript
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