GETTING LOUD FOR WOMEN:

Ridiculously easy ways for political novices to get their voices heard in 2012 and enjoy the process (wine helps):D .

Opportunity 1: Encourage a lawmaker to sponsor or co-sponsor a piece of legislation.

In the summer of 2011, an off duty police officer forced a young teacher into an abandoned courtyard at gunpoint on her first day of work at a new school and raped her at gunpoint, only ceasing his attack when police arrested him at the scene. Yet, because the woman was unable to unequivocally prove that she was vaginally penetrated,1 a jury handed down a sentence for sexual assault instead. An Assemblywoman from Queens, Aravella Simotas, has introduced a bill (A 09774) that would change the language of the criminal code to use a single standard of proofvaginal contact---for both rape and sexual assault, and would also expand the definition of rape to include forced anal or oral contact. "The importance of calling rape by its name cannot be understated," Simotas said. "By denying this fact, by calling rape something different predatory sexual act or criminal sexual act society fails to validate the victims experience and trauma,"2 If you support A 09774, it is easy to weigh in at this level. Simply drop Ms. Simotas an email at simotasa@assembly.state.ny.us thanking her for taking this first step, and tell her that you'll be writing to your representatives in the state to encourage them to consider co-sponsoring this bill. With a limited calendar, very few bills (relative to the amount introduced) actually get voted on. Having multiple sponsors encourages the inclusion of a bill for debate and deliberation. If you do not support A 09774 or want to start with a less controversial bill, how about thanking Senator Liz Krueger for her introduction of S6273-2011, a bill which requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant women (such as a place to sit or more frequent bathroom breaks) in order to allow them to stay on the job3? OPPORTUNITY# 2-Take a Road Trip; record a message if you can't make it.

For five sessions in a row, the NY State Assembly has passed the Gender Expression NonDiscrimination Act (GENDA)---and for four sessions, the NY State Senate has voted it down. They have another chance this year to break the cycle, and your voice could make a huge, palpable difference. Legislators in NY proved that they could reflect the will of the people by legalizing same sex marriage: if you speak out, they can do it again. According to the text of the bill, GENDA Prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression; defines "gender identity or expression" as having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self image, appearance, behavior or expression whether or not that gender identity, self image, appearance, behavior or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth; further includes offenses regarding gender identity or expression within the list of offenses subject to treatment as hate crime.4 If you support the right of any citizen to hold down a job, keep an apartment, and grab a group of friends and attend a lobby day in Albany. The bus is cheap and there is good falafel in Albany. Just two weeks ago, the Empire State Pride Agenda organized an LGBT lobby day where GENDA was a main point of emphasis. Over 650 people showed up to support basic civil rights for all people regardless of

gender expressionincluding, women, college students, and union leaders. 5 If you aren't able or aren't interested in heading upstate, give your voice to those who are. Many of the activists lobbying are newbies just like you, and they worry about how they'll sound, if anyone will listen, if they'll be written off. If you have a youtube channel, a facebook page, or a twitter account, find out when the next lobby day or demonstration is by visiting the Empire State Pride Agenda at http://www.prideagenda.org/ and give them a shout out. OPPORTUNITY #3--- Bring a few friends together for debate and consciousness raising about reproductive rights.

This year, bills were introduced in both the assembly (A06112) and Senate (S5808) Reproductive Health Act, which removes the issue of abortion from the penal code and places it instead under the jurisdiction of public health laws Currently, New York State criminalizes abortions after the 24th week of pregnancy, with the exception of when a womans life is at risk. This act would expand that exception to include when a womans health is at risk. It also codifies a woman's right to have access to contraception or to not use contraception if she chooses, preemptively guaranteeing rights in anticipation of challenges down the line.5 Opponents of the bill say that defining access to abortion as a fundamental right, aside from the issue of abortion itself, makes ameliorating limitations such as parental consent and funding allocations much more difficult, if not impossible. Governor Andrew Cuomo has mentioned in his state address that passing the Reproductive Health Act is one of his main priorities for 2012. But the decision to guarantee women access to a full range of health care solutions is not without controversy. If you feel passionately about a womans right to privacy and choice, write an op-ed, 600 words at most (less than a blog entry) and submit it to your local newspaper explaining your position. Get a few like minded friends together around a table and brainstorm ways to reach out to New Yorkers who may or may not have thought of womens reproductive rights as being a current debate in our state and city. Remember that their actual position matters less than the fact that they are formulating an opinion in the spirit of healthy deliberation. Be tolerant, be articulate, have a blast, and let your local elected officials know how it went. They care about groups coming together---that one extra step of organization on your part can make a difference in how you are perceived and what your level of commitment might be. Know of a friend who isnt registered to vote? Direct them to http://vote.nyc.ny.us/register.html to fill out a simple voter registration form, and if there isnt one available to download in their native language, help them out. You can also pick up a voter registration form at any library. And a pre-paid form is available if you call.

Above all, remember that any action you take is cumulative, and builds with the collaboration of others. Becoming politically active is tedious and frustrating at times, but the actual workload is minimal, and the habits developed by speaking up for what

1 http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ex-cop-michael-pena-maximum-brutal-gunpoint-sex-attack-article-1.1074002; 2. http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120508/civic-center/kelly-endorses-tougher-rape-laws-after-pena-case 3. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/opinion/pregnant-and-pushed-out-of-a-job.html 4. http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=a5039 5. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Transgender-civil-rights-3544384.php 6. http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/03/new_york_aborti.php

you want serve you well in all aspects of your life and work. Good luck to you!