Making Change One Story at a Time
Filed by: Guest Blogger
May 30, 2010 1:00 PM

http://www.bilerico.com/2010/05/making_change_one_story_at_a_time.php

Editors' Note: Masen Davis is the Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center, a civil rights organization advocating for California's transgender communities.

California has been a real leader in transgender civil rights. We have legal protections in employment, housing, schools, public accommodations, insurance and government programs. Good laws are critical, but they are just a start. Even with state non-discrimination provisions, 67 percent of transgender Californians report experiencing workplace discrimination; one in five has been homeless, and we are twice as likely to live in poverty. To be meaningful, our laws must impact the real life experiences of transgender people. What's the key to further progress? We must make sure our lawmakers are hearing from us.

Earlier this month, on May 17th, nearly 100 transgender community members and allies converged on Sacramento for the first ever California Transgender Advocacy Day. Presented by the Transgender Law Center and Equality California, Transgender Advocacy Day brought seasoned community activists and emerging leaders to the halls of our State Capitol to educate our lawmakers about the realities transgender people face.