Writing to Your Texas Representatives

Note: The content of this page is largely pulled from page 8 of the National Center for Transgender Equality 2013 guidebook, “Make Your Voice Heard: A Transgender Guide to Educating Congress.” The language in the sample letter is largely pulled from the American College of Physicians’ joint letter to the Senate in support of the Equality Act.

Tips for Writing to Congress

Writing letters, faxes and/or emails can be a very effective way to deliver a message to your elected officials. While usually not quite as potent as an actual in-person visit, writing is still very useful. In general, mailed letters have somewhat more impact than faxes and emails since legislators know that mass faxes and emails are easily organized by professional lobbying organizations.

When Congresspeople gets an actual letter, typed or handwritten, they know the constituent writing the letter really feels strongly about the issue. However, letters mailed to Congress are required to go through an extensive and time consuming screening process due to concerns about terrorism, so they will take more time to arrive. Faxes and emails are quick ways of getting a message to Congress and should be utilized when time matters in expressing your opinion on an issue.

Be concise; aim for one-to-two-page letters or faxes. There is a sample letter at the end of this guide. Consider having a letter-writing party at a group meeting or inviting friends over to write letters about an issue that is important to you. You can provide paper, pens, addresses, and a sample letter to help people get started.

Additional Tips

• Be polite, brief, and to the point

• Address only one issue in each letter, fax, or e-mail

• State your purpose for writing in the first paragraph (and in the subject line, if you are writing an e-mail).

• State your position clearly for or against a particular piece of legislation, using the bill number if you know it, and succinctly describe why you hold that position

• Include, briefly, personal information that supports your point of view

• Conclude by asking for a specific action from the legislator, such as asking them to vote for or against a bill, sponsor legislation, or meet with transgender constituents

• Thank them for their past support of related issues, if applicable

• Always include your contact information, including your address (this will let them know that you live in their district and state), so they can follow up with you

Addressing an Email

See below for guidelines on addressing Senators vs Representatives. In the subject line, identify the topic of your message or a bill number if you know it. Your email message should have the following format:

Dear (Title) (Last Name),

[Body of your e-mail]

Sincerely,

Your name

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Phone

E-mail

Addressing Letters

To a Senator

The Honorable (First and Last name)

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator (Last name):

Note: When writing to the chair of a committee or the Speaker of the House, it is appropriate to address them as: Dear Mr. Chairman/Speaker or Madame Chairman/Speaker.

If you are writing to a staff member in a congressional office, the accepted forms are:

Senate

Ms./Mr. (First and Last Name)

Office of Senator (Senator’s Last Name)

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Ms./Mr. (Staff member’s last name)

Sample Letter/Email on an Issue

Dear Senator/Representative/Governor (Last name):

I am writing to you out of deep concern for the transgender community in Texas. Because transgender people are not protected by federal legislation and because of widespread discrimination against the community, transgender people of all ages are often at a higher risk of depression and attempted suicide.

I urge you to pass legislation that will provide affirmative, statutory nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Americans in schools, in the workplace, and in the community. There is no basis for the denial of equal rights to any human being because of their sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or transgender status. The patchwork nature of current laws protecting LGBTQ+ people leaves many Americans subject to uncertainty and potential discrimination that impacts their safety, their medical care, and their day-to-day lives. LGBTQ+ people need explicit, permanent protections under our nation’s existing civil rights laws with regards to access to care, housing, education, federally funded programs and more. Such protections will help to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination that threatens their health and well-being.

I urge you to vote against any legislation which seeks to further marginalize the trans community, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ youth. As the American College of Physicians writes, “Medical care for transgender youth is evidence-based and has proven effectiveness. Guidelines for appropriate treatment have been carefully developed and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Endocrine Society and Pediatric Endocrine Society, the American College of Physicians, World Professional Association for Transgender Health, and the American Psychological Association. The international consensus among health care professionals regarding treatment for gender dysphoria is to assist the patient to live in accordance their gender identity. In a gender-affirmative care model, providers offer developmentally appropriate care that is oriented toward understanding and appreciating a person’s gender experience. Treatment may include counseling, social transition, hormone therapy and/or gender confirming surgeries. Before puberty, there is no medical or surgical treatment that is used at all; guidelines emphasize supporting children as they express themselves.”

I urge you to vote in favor of legislation which works to ensure that all Texans, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or transgender status are protected from discrimination that threatens their health and well-being. I urge you to consider sponsoring legislation that provides equal access to medical care, including mental health care, for transgender people, and prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.

More than anything, I urge you to reject the opinion of Attorney General Paxton and the directive of Governor Abbott, which ordered the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate gender-affirming medical care as child abuse.

Individuals who receive gender-affirming care have dramatically reduced rates of suicide attempts, decreased rates of depression and anxiety, decreased substance use, improved HIV medication adherence, and reduced rates of harmful self-prescribed hormone use. Please work towards a more equitable, safe, and healthy Texas for all.

If you have any questions about this subject, please feel free to contact me at any time. I would be happy to speak with you about it.

Sincerely,

Your Name