On Monday, May 6, 2019, I spoke in the rotunda of the State Capitol building in Harrisburg, PA.
Ooo!
So how did that happen?
Well, last October I reconnected with an old high school friend. I hadn't seen Charnelle since graduation in 1984. I think I first met her in 8th grade. She was reading a book about the Doors, and I asked her about it. (I guess in a way she turned me on to what would become one of my favorite bands.)
She invited me to a breakfast networking event for "minorities," since, as a transgender woman I qualify. She said there would be movers and shakers there. I'd been to similar gatherings before this, but they were exclusively LGBT. I guess I suck at networking because nothing came out of those. In any case, I went.
Almost everyone at that event were people of color. I met many people, but seeing Charnelle was the real treat. I spoke briefly at this gathering about how transgender people are not protected by hiring bias laws in Pennsylvania, and my personal hardship finding work. My speech was short, direct, and ad-lived. One of the people in attendance had a friend who works for a Pennsylvania state congressman. She recommended me to that person, who invited me to speak at a press conference about a new bill being proposed in the PA statehouse. This bill would extend hate crime protections to LGBT people.
That's right- PA has no such protections on its books. Why? Because both houses of the Pa legislature have been dominated by republicans for years. And republicans, as a rule, hate LGBT. It's even in their most recent platform (2016. pp 11, 31, 35.)
So, that morning I woke early, troweled on my face, and drove 90 minutes to Harrisburg. After parking, I walked a block to the statehouse. There was a large crowd, maybe 100, in front- a rally. The majority of the people wore red hats- it was a pro- second amendment rally. I stopped for a moment. Right wingers generally hate LGBT (as shown by their policies, comments, violence, etc) so I wondered if I would be accosted going up the steps to the door. Shoulders back, I walked proudly up the middle. While I got some looks and a couple of remarks, they let me through without incident. On my way up, I passed many people posing for pictures. Several flashed white power signs.
The front door was guarded outside by several police officers. After entry, I went through a metal detector checkpoint. Ahead of me was the rotunda, where I was to speak. I'd say there were over a hundred gun people in there, some with signs. There were MAGA hats of red and black. There was a teen wearing full old style camouflage. One big guy had Hitler tattooed on his bicep. There I saw the only two people of color with that rally- a couple wearing matching "gun control is racist" t-shirts.
I met with my contact, and she took me to the office of the sponsoring representative, Kevin Boyle (D) of Philadelphia, which was in a neighboring building. We waited there briefly, then went back to the capitol building. As we left, we passed two large roving groups of gun people who were visiting every office they could.
When we returned to the rotunda, most of the gun people were gone- it was like a reset. Cameras were ready, and a large number of women in red were posed on the steps. This was AJC, a Jewish advocacy organization. I was told where to stand, and Rep. Boyle spoke.
Seven other representatives spoke (including State Senator Farnese, the lone republican), then three other people. Then, it was my turn.
I'd been asked to "play nice" with my comments, so I did. Sort of. I wrote some bullet points on an index card, including some facts, figuring I'd tailor the speech to the remarks made by other speakers. I pointed out that "a certain party" has Hate enshrined in their platform, and cited the page numbers. I spoke about feeling safe, and about how the GOP stripped me of healthcare access. In the end, I called upon the GOP to renounce hate (originally, it was going to be Hate AND Evil.) And then, I was finished.
It wasn't my best speech. I felt I rushed it. Listening to the speech again, I absolutely rushed it. If you want to see my speech, you'll find it HERE. I put my phone on the podium, and recorded it. The angle is far from flattering- I look like Jabba the Hut.
The press conference ended. We posed for pictures as a group, then all was finished. I said my goodbyes, and walked out into the brilliant sunlight into... another gathering. This time it was pro-nuclear energy. I walked around that crowd and back to my car. As I was parked near the top of the parking garage, I had some great views, so I took some pictures. Then, I went home.
Will my participation help? Doubt it. I don't think that bill will make it out of committee, because republicans hate LGBT, and they hold the majority. Still, I can say I spoke at the State Capitol building. It gave me something to do.
Be well.
Ooo!
So how did that happen?
Well, last October I reconnected with an old high school friend. I hadn't seen Charnelle since graduation in 1984. I think I first met her in 8th grade. She was reading a book about the Doors, and I asked her about it. (I guess in a way she turned me on to what would become one of my favorite bands.)
With Charnelle, Oct 2018
She invited me to a breakfast networking event for "minorities," since, as a transgender woman I qualify. She said there would be movers and shakers there. I'd been to similar gatherings before this, but they were exclusively LGBT. I guess I suck at networking because nothing came out of those. In any case, I went.
Almost everyone at that event were people of color. I met many people, but seeing Charnelle was the real treat. I spoke briefly at this gathering about how transgender people are not protected by hiring bias laws in Pennsylvania, and my personal hardship finding work. My speech was short, direct, and ad-lived. One of the people in attendance had a friend who works for a Pennsylvania state congressman. She recommended me to that person, who invited me to speak at a press conference about a new bill being proposed in the PA statehouse. This bill would extend hate crime protections to LGBT people.
That's right- PA has no such protections on its books. Why? Because both houses of the Pa legislature have been dominated by republicans for years. And republicans, as a rule, hate LGBT. It's even in their most recent platform (2016. pp 11, 31, 35.)
Trouble on the steps?
So, that morning I woke early, troweled on my face, and drove 90 minutes to Harrisburg. After parking, I walked a block to the statehouse. There was a large crowd, maybe 100, in front- a rally. The majority of the people wore red hats- it was a pro- second amendment rally. I stopped for a moment. Right wingers generally hate LGBT (as shown by their policies, comments, violence, etc) so I wondered if I would be accosted going up the steps to the door. Shoulders back, I walked proudly up the middle. While I got some looks and a couple of remarks, they let me through without incident. On my way up, I passed many people posing for pictures. Several flashed white power signs.
The front door was guarded outside by several police officers. After entry, I went through a metal detector checkpoint. Ahead of me was the rotunda, where I was to speak. I'd say there were over a hundred gun people in there, some with signs. There were MAGA hats of red and black. There was a teen wearing full old style camouflage. One big guy had Hitler tattooed on his bicep. There I saw the only two people of color with that rally- a couple wearing matching "gun control is racist" t-shirts.
Smile!
I met with my contact, and she took me to the office of the sponsoring representative, Kevin Boyle (D) of Philadelphia, which was in a neighboring building. We waited there briefly, then went back to the capitol building. As we left, we passed two large roving groups of gun people who were visiting every office they could.
When we returned to the rotunda, most of the gun people were gone- it was like a reset. Cameras were ready, and a large number of women in red were posed on the steps. This was AJC, a Jewish advocacy organization. I was told where to stand, and Rep. Boyle spoke.
Seven other representatives spoke (including State Senator Farnese, the lone republican), then three other people. Then, it was my turn.
Picture by Rep. Melissa Shusterman. Didn't realize I was wearing the same dress both times
I'd been asked to "play nice" with my comments, so I did. Sort of. I wrote some bullet points on an index card, including some facts, figuring I'd tailor the speech to the remarks made by other speakers. I pointed out that "a certain party" has Hate enshrined in their platform, and cited the page numbers. I spoke about feeling safe, and about how the GOP stripped me of healthcare access. In the end, I called upon the GOP to renounce hate (originally, it was going to be Hate AND Evil.) And then, I was finished.
It wasn't my best speech. I felt I rushed it. Listening to the speech again, I absolutely rushed it. If you want to see my speech, you'll find it HERE. I put my phone on the podium, and recorded it. The angle is far from flattering- I look like Jabba the Hut.
The press conference ended. We posed for pictures as a group, then all was finished. I said my goodbyes, and walked out into the brilliant sunlight into... another gathering. This time it was pro-nuclear energy. I walked around that crowd and back to my car. As I was parked near the top of the parking garage, I had some great views, so I took some pictures. Then, I went home.
Heading out. One of the ADC women gave me a pin
Will my participation help? Doubt it. I don't think that bill will make it out of committee, because republicans hate LGBT, and they hold the majority. Still, I can say I spoke at the State Capitol building. It gave me something to do.
Be well.
You are a very brave and articulate woman. I'm SO PROUD of you, Sophie!
ReplyDeleteSophie -
ReplyDeleteYes, the GOP hates us because of their evangelical wing. But it always helps to be out in the open. Eventually, we will be in a position to change things, and those changes will come in like a tidal wave.
Keeep up the faith.
M